The Asian Restaurant Week and Awards will celebrate restaurants in both Northern and Southern Ireland representing food from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and cuisines from the South East Asian region.
Much more than awards, this is a celebration of Asian cuisine and culture, with, for the first time, a dedicated week of activity nationwide to support the sector and to acknowledge the contribution this fantastic community has made over decades in Ireland.
The Asian Restaurant Week will run from November 1st to November 7th with tastings, events and special offers from Asian restaurants in all 32 counties, encouraging diners to explore and discover new restaurants, cuisines, dishes and drinks.
The Asian Restaurant Awards will take place on November 7th in partner hotel The Castleknock Hotel, part of FBD Hotels and Resorts. Restaurants will be awarded in five regions – Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connaught and Dublin and nationally for the overall winners. The judging process will include public voting and a judging panel of food writers, journalists and chefs.
The Asian Restaurant Week and awards are being welcomed by businesses looking forward to taking part:
“Asian cuisine has really taken off in Ireland and these new awards will take it to newer heights. We at Ruchii in Blackrock are delighted to participate in the Restaurant Week and really looking forward to it” said Dr. Murali Sayana, owner of Ruchii Restaurant, Blackrock County Dublin
“I’m delighted to hear of the new Asian Restaurant Week and Awards. Nepalese cuisine is unique and distinctive from other Asian cuisines. We want more people to enjoy Nepalese cuisine and we are looking forward to being a part of the restaurant week and awards” said Koirala Nawa Raj of Kathmandu Kitchen Dame Street and Malahide, Dublin.
The team behind the awards is former restaurateur and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor and food writer and journalist Suzanne Campbell. Having established the Irish Food Writing Awards with Suzanne in 2021, Paul felt it was time to throw focus on the huge South Asian food scene in Ireland: “Having been involved with Asian food businesses for many years I felt the community needed an opportunity to celebrate both their food and the contribution they make in Ireland. It’s time to celebrate the varied cuisines and culture of the vibrant countries in this region.”
A very exciting new app is underway to group restaurants together to invite Irish diners to try what’s local to them in their town or county. Restaurants will benefit from group advantages and we have some very exciting partners on board including Cobra Beer, part of the Molson Coors group, and the point of sale company Postree (www.postree.ie)
The 2023 awards will take place on 7th November. Entries open soon via www.asianrestaurantawards.ie
For more visit asianrestaurantweek.ie
Slán go fóill.