Awards ceremony recognising chef who catered for the Queen marred by protests

7th June 2011, 4:17pm

Chef Ross Lewis, who had charge of the Irish state banquet for the Queen during her recent visit to the Republic, has added another honour to his impressive CV – the Dublin restaurant he co-owns has been named the best in Ireland.

For Chapter One, the Michelin star winning eaterie in the city's Parnell Square, it was the third time in a row it had taken top honours, and the sixth time in all. More than 6,000 nominations were received for this year's awards, sponsored by Santa Rita and the Sunday Independent Life magazine, and presented by the Restaurants' Association of Ireland (RAI).

However, the 800 industry guests attending the presentation ceremony in Dublin's Burlington Hotel had to pass a picket mounted by members of the Irish Restaurant and Catering Workers' Forum, protesting over what they see as a campaign by restaurateurs to reduce the pay and conditions of catering staff.

The picketers, dressed as chefs, said they wanted to contrast their situation with the awards ceremony, which they claimed involved "a champagne and cocktail reception, a five-course meal and black-tie glamour".

They handed out leaflets to passers-by, calling on the RAI "to stop attacks on workers' wages" and appealing for public support in their fight.

Inside the hotel, the chief executive of the RAI, Adrian Cummins, answered their criticisms, reminding listeners the sector contributed €2bn a year to the economy. The minimum terms and conditions of employment in the catering sector, he said, were "above and beyond" the national minimum wage (at €8.65 an hour one of the highest in the EU) and also included premium payment for weekend and overtime working.

Catering workers' terms and conditions, he added, were being kept "artificially high" by the current system of joint labour committees, made up of industry and trade union representatives, and the RAI made no apology for wanting to see them abolished.

Meanwhile, at the awards, another hat-trick winner was Cregan's Castle, Ballyvaughan, County Clare, which collected top honours for best chef (Mickael Viljanen), best hotel restaurant and best customer service. Best casual dining award went to La Cucina Restaurant in Castletroy, County Limerick, with Harry's Bar and Restaurant on the Inishowen peninsula chosen as Best Gastro Pub and Greenacres, of Selskar, County Wexford, taking first prize for best wine experience.

Related Articles:

• 21 Feb 2011 - Top chef Ken Hom calls Irish restaurant prices 'shocking'
• 28 Sep 2010 - Richard Corrigan quits in Irish trade's 'tough times'
• 30 Jul 2010 - High wages ‘closing Irish restaurants’
• 14 Dec 2009 - Restaurants Association of Ireland launches 10 point survival plan for eateries

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