Ireland’s top caterers honoured at inaugural Gold Medal Catering Awards

Ireland’s catering sector stepped into the spotlight this week as the inaugural Gold Medal Catering Awards recognised outstanding achievements in food service at a black-tie ceremony in Dublin. The awards aim to become the country’s leading celebration of excellence across every corner of the catering industry.

More than 300 guests gathered for the gala event, which marked the culmination of months of competition among Ireland’s most innovative and dedicated catering professionals. The event featured a sparkling reception, a specially curated three-course meal and live entertainment, all underscored by a strong sense of pride, community and professional celebration.

“The calibre of entries in this first year was nothing short of incredible,” said Trish Murphy, head of sales and sponsorship at Ashville Media. “We launched these awards to recognise the outstanding work being done across Ireland’s catering industry and the response has been overwhelming. These winners are setting a new benchmark for quality, creativity and service.”

The Gold Medal Catering Awards received over 150 entries for its debut edition, with caterers from every province submitting detailed entries across 20 categories. The categories were designed to reflect the full breadth of Ireland’s catering ecosystem from contract catering and healthcare food service, to public sector innovation and barista excellence.

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Each entrant underwent a multi-stage assessment process, including written submissions, client testimonials and independent on-site evaluations by a panel of industry judges. The judging panel was composed of leading professionals from catering, hospitality, nutrition and sustainability sectors, ensuring a broad and impartial evaluation of each nominee.

“We are incredibly proud to sponsor chef of the year award at the inaugural Gold Medal Catering Awards,” said BWG Foodservice, a sponsor for the awards. “We’re honoured to support the culinary brilliance that fuels our industry and we can’t wait to celebrate the chefs who continue to inspire and innovate.”

Some of the most hotly contested categories included contract caterer of the year, event caterer of the year and healthcare caterer of the year, with both large-scale operators and boutique services represented among the finalists.

Sustainability site of the year was a particularly competitive category, reflecting the growing emphasis on environmental practices in the food service industry. Judges looked for measurable efforts in waste reduction, responsible sourcing, carbon impact and staff engagement.

“We are beyond proud and incredibly honoured to announce that The Lunch Bag have taken home not one, but two awards at the Gold Medal Catering Awards,” said a spokesperson for The Lunch Bag, one of the top winners on the night. “These awards mean the world to us because they reflect the heart of what we do: giving children across Ireland access to hot, nutritious meals every single day.”

The food service chef of the year and rising star award categories focused on individual talent, recognising culinary creativity, leadership and the ability to innovate under real-world constraints. This year’s recipients were noted for their passion, technical skill and dedication to client and community needs.

“We’re thrilled to sponsor the event and celebrate the outstanding achievements which honour the very best in Ireland’s catering industry,” said Excel Recruitment, one of the sponsors. “From corporate and healthcare catering to premium event hospitality, these awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional commitment to culinary excellence, operational innovation, and service quality that continues to raise the bar across all sectors.”

The diversity of the winners showcased just how broad the catering industry truly is. Finalists included university dining halls, private hospital food service teams, event specialists working with international clients and public sector caterers feeding hundreds daily, with strict nutritional and operational requirements.

The Gold Medal Catering Awards represent a new chapter for the team behind the long-established Gold Medal Awards, which have celebrated hospitality excellence in Ireland for over 30 years. These awards were designed to give catering its own space, with tailored categories, judging criteria and sector-specific recognition.

Organisers say the response has already confirmed the need for this platform. Plans for the 2026 edition are under way, with interest from sponsors, regional partners and even international entrants.

“We want this to be more than just one night of celebration,” said Trish Murphy. “We want it to help elevate the entire industry, showcase best practices and support ongoing professional development. There’s incredible work happening every day in catering and this awards programme is only getting started.”

For many attendees, the event was also a rare chance to gather with peers from across the country. Despite working in one of Ireland’s most essential and fast-paced industries, caterers often work behind the scenes making The Gold Medal Catering Awards a valuable opportunity to connect, share ideas and celebrate together.