WELCOME
Awarm welcome to the 2026 Gold Medal Catering Awards held in association with Hotel & Catering Review magazine
It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you all to Clontarf Castle for the 2026 Gold Medal Catering Awards.
Tonight, we gather for Ireland’s definitive celebration of culinary and service excellence. This event is our dedicated platform to honour the incredible talent, relentless innovation, and deep commitment of catering professionals who elevate experiences every day across business, healthcare, education, and major events.
Born from the rich, 37-year legacy of the Gold Medal Hotel Awards, this standalone ceremony was created to give the catering sector the distinct spotlight it so richly deserves. Catering is the heartbeat of Irish hospitality, dynamic, highly skilled, and constantly pushing boundaries.
Jill Thornton, Senior Events Manager
Building on the incredible momentum of our first year, the 2026 awards have seen a phenomenal surge in entries, proving just how vibrant and competitive Ireland’s catering landscape has become. From groundbreaking menu design to seamless operational excellence, tonight is about applauding the teams and individuals who refuse to settle for anything less than extraordinary.
Set against the timeless elegance of Clontarf Castle, tonight is more than a ceremony, it is a moment to connect, reflect, and celebrate alongside the pioneers shaping the future of our industry. Thank you to everyone who entered and supported this year’s event; you are the reason this benchmark of excellence continues to grow.
On behalf of the entire team, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to tonight’s finalists. Your passion and dedication are a credit to Ireland. We wish you all the very best of luck and hope you have a spectacular, well-deserved evening of celebration.
Trish Murphy, Sales & Sponsorship Director
Team
The Ashville Events
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 GOLD MEDAL CATERING AWARDS JUDGING PANEL
We extend our deepest gratitude to the 2026 Gold Medal Catering Awards Judging Panel. Thank you for lending your time, expertise, and passion to this year’s competition. Following the success of our 2025 debut, your discerning taste and thoughtful insights have continued to uphold and elevate the standards of excellence in catering. We are incredibly grateful for your dedication to honouring the very best in our industry.
Alun Griffiths
Managing Director of AMACA Solutions
Colin Gilligan Lecturer in Hospitality, ATU
Gina Murphy Chairperson of Tourist SOS, and a Board Member of Kylemore Abbey Trust
Jennifer Maher Director of Hospitality, Excel Recruitment
Jim Dempsey Founder | Managing Director | Lead Guide
Dr John Carty Lecturer and Researcher, Galway International Hotel School, Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Kate O’Connell
Retired Deputy Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management
Maria Murphy Lecturer at the Galway International Hotel School, Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Noreen Gannon Owner of Gallaghers Cork Owner Moody Cafe Vin Cork
Oliver Sheedy Catering and Training Consultant and National Tour Guide
Russell Hadley Cluster General Manager Dublin
Shane McLave Managing Director, Excel Recruitment
Sharon O’Donoghue Managing Director, Media Life
BARISTA OF THE YEAR
Alex Carlier, Compass Group Ireland, KKR
Klaudia Wlodarczak, ISS, HPE Galway
Gabriel Tudorin, KC Peaches
Jack Moran, Malahide Golf Club
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONTRACT CATERER OF THE YEAR -
OVER 250 EMPLOYEES ON SITE
Aramark Ireland, State Street
BaxterStorey Ireland, Alexion
CCSL, Embecta
Compass Group Ireland, BNY Food Space, Bristol Myers Squibb
ISS at Amgen
Sodexo, The Good Eating Company, Diageo Ireland
The Q Cafe Company @ Teagasc Moorepark
SPONSORED BY
AREA MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Patricia Heavey
BaxterStorey Ireland
Stephen Gunn
Compass Group Ireland, BNY
Pawel Pociejkowicz
Compass Group Ireland, BNY Mellon Dublin
CATERING ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR
Abosede Soyoye
Compass Group Ireland - Deloitte
Lucas Manzoni Fresh & Yummy Gourmet Catering
Una Ryan ISS at Amgen
Clodagh Murray
The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONTRACT CATERER OF THE YEAR -
1- 250 EMPLOYEES ON SITE
Aramark Ireland, The Junction
CCSL, Sage, Westpark Business Park
Compass Group Ireland, KKR
Fresh & Yummy Gourmet Catering
KC Peaches at Cartrawler
The Q Cafe Company @ Abbott Ireland
FOODSERVICE CHEF OF THE YEAR
Karl O’Hara, Compass Group Ireland, RCSI
Paul Fulop, Emerald Bites
Rory Nola, Food Space, Abbott Kilkenny
Armands Ceimers, The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club
Philip Brennan, The Q Cafe Company
SPONSORED BY
SUSTAINABILITY SITE OF THE YEAR
Aramark Ireland, SAP
BaxterStorey Ireland, Mastercard
Críoch Catering
Food Space, Abbott Vascular Clonmel
ISS at Vhi Kilkenny
KC Peaches at Cartrawler
Master Chefs at Ellan Farm
Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
Peter Campbell Catering
Sodexo, The Good Eating Company, Diageo Ireland
The Q Cafe Company
@ Environmental Protection Agency
MARKETING MANAGER / TEAM OF THE YEAR
Sean Hyland, 3Cooks
Compass Group Ireland Marketing Team
Amanda Garuti, Sweet Cicely Ltd
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING INITIATIVES OF THE YEAR
Aramark Ireland, ELEVATE BaxterStorey Ireland, The Management Development Programme (MDP)
John Reilly, Compass Group Ireland & National Learning Network Partnership
PROUD SPONSORS OF HEALTHCARE CATERER OF THE YEAR
6,000 PRODUCTS over ONLINE ORDERING FRESH AND LOCAL SUPPLIERS ACROSS IRELAND EXCLUSIVE BRANDS
HEALTHCARE CATERER
OF THE YEAR
BaxterStorey Ireland, Blackrock Clinic
Emeis Ireland, Beneavin House
Nua Healthcare Services Gormanston
The National Maternity Hospital
The Q Cafe Company @ Leopardstown Care Centre
The Q Cafe Company @ St Patricks Mental Health Services
SPONSORED BY
The Q Cafe Company @ UPMC SSC
CATERING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Donnacha O’Mahony, CCSL, Cregranna Medical
John O’Brien, Compass Group Ireland, Citibank
Ronan Bennett, Críoch Catering
Paul Dunlea, Elm Park Golf & Sports Club CLG
Bobby Carrigan, Food Space, Abbott Vascular Clonmel
Nora Colombani, ISS at HPE Galway
Michael Babic, Malahide Golf Club
Agnes Sokolowska, Master Chefs at Maynooth University
Maggie Finnegan, Nua Healthcare Services Gormanston
CHEF MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Avril Nestor, CCSL, Valeo Vision Systems, Galway
Keith Dunne, Compass Group Ireland, Calor Gas
Anton Roseler, Malahide Golf Club
Giuseppe Cabiddu, Sweet Cicely Ltd
Francesca Carcagni, The Q Cafe Company
IRELAND’S EVENT CATERER -
100 GUESTS OR MORE
3Cooks
Food Space, Bristol Myers Squibb
Lily & Wild Catering
Master Chefs at Dexcom Stadium
Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
Slattery Catering at Castlewarden Golf Club
SPONSORED BY
IRELAND’S EVENT CATERER
100 GUESTS OR LESS
3Cooks
Críoch Catering
Emerald Bites
Lily & Wild Catering
Peter Campbell Catering
Slattery Catering at Castlewarden Golf Club
Sweet Cicely Ltd
CLUB OR SOCIETY CATERING OF THE YEAR
Elm Park Golf & Sports Club CLG
Enniscrone Golf Club
Malahide Golf Club
Royal Irish Yacht Club
Slattery Catering at Castlewarden Golf Club
The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club
The Willow Tree Restaurant & Catering Ltd
OFF SITE EDUCATIONAL CONTRACT CATERER OF THE YEAR
Ashdale Catering Ltd
Compass Group Ireland, Glanmore Foods
Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly)
KC Peaches at CPU
ON SITE EDUCATIONAL CONTRACT CATERER OF
THE YEAR
BaxterStorey Ireland, St Columba’s College
CCSL, IMI
Compass Group Ireland, RSCI
Master Chefs at Maynooth University
PPA Treat Cafe Ltd
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE
OF THE YEAR
3Cooks
Aramark Ireland, AIB Molesworth Street
Compass Group Ireland, Flutter Entertainment
Food Space, Bristol Myers Squibb
Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly)
KC Peaches at Viatris MDR
Malahide Golf Club
Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
Peter Campbell Catering
Slattery Catering at Castlewarden Golf Club
Sweet Cicely Ltd
The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club
SPONSORED BY
HEALTH & NUTRITION MENU OF THE YEAR
Ashdale Catering Ltd
BaxterStorey Ireland, Mastercard
Compass Group Ireland, Glanmore Foods
Emeis Ireland, Beneavin House
Food Space, Abbott Kilkenny
Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly)
KC Peaches at Cartrawler
Nua Healthcare Services Gormanston
Sodexo, The Good Eating Company, Diageo Ireland
The National Maternity Hospital
The Q Cafe Company, QWellness
KITCHEN PORTER OF THE YEAR
John Ward, CCSL, Valeo Vision Systems, Galway
Jim Musyoki, Compass Group Ireland
Simon Fallon, Sweet Cicely Ltd
PUBLIC SECTOR FOOD SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Críoch Catering
ISS at Uiscé Eireann
The National Maternity Hospital
The Q Cafe Company @ Teagasc
MENU PROVENANCE OF THE YEAR
3Cooks
BaxterStorey Ireland, Blackrock Clinic
Críoch Catering
KC Peaches at Cartrawler
Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
Peter Campbell Catering
Sodexo, The Good Eating Company, Diageo Ireland
WEDDING EVENT CATERER
OF THE YEAR
This category celebrates the exceptional skill and service required to execute flawless and memorable wedding catering. Judges focus on a caterer’s ability to provide highly personalised service, manage complex logistical challenges across various venues, and deliver culinary excellence that perfectly reflects the couple’s vision.
Winner will be announced on the night.
RISING STAR
In this category, we spotlight the emerging talents, the Rising Stars in the catering industry. Judges lookout for individuals making waves and setting trends. Whether you’re a young chef, manager, or innovator, if you’re bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the field. The Rising Star category is your platform to shine brightly in the everevolving world of catering.
Winner will be announced on the night.
SPONSORED BY
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Within this category, we honour individuals, establishments, or initiatives that have made an extraordinary impact on Ireland’s catering landscape. More than a mere accolade, this is a unique acknowledgment for those who have gone above and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Winner will be announced on the night.
CATERING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
This esteemed category recognises the most outstanding catering company in Ireland. Judges seek a company that consistently goes above and beyond in creativity, quality, and service. The winner isn’t merely a catering company; they are trailblazers, trendsetters, and the epitome of culinary excellence.
Winner will be announced on the night.
