Ashford Castle and sister hotel, The Lodge at Ashford have scooped six awards, including the highly coveted Chef of the Year title, at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards this week.
Now in their 33rd year, these awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry. Judged by industry experts, the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards recognise and reward excellence in hospitality and catering operations across the island of Ireland, celebrating the best in Irish hospitality.
The multi award-winning hotels are located on the magnificent 350-acre Ashford estate in Cong, Co Mayo and the ‘haul’ of six awards included:
Gold Medal Awards
- Chef of the Year – Jonathan Keane, Executive Head Chef, The Lodge at Ashford Castle
- Ireland’s Sustainability / Leading Green Hotel– Ashford Castle
- Ireland’s Five Star Hotel Spa Experience – Ashford Castle
Executive Head Chef at The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Jonathan Keane was awarded Chef of the Year.
Silver Medal Awards
- Ireland’s Five Star Resort – Ashford Castle
- Ireland’s Afternoon Tea Hotel – Ashford Castle
- Ireland’s Wine Experience – The Lodge at Ashford Castle
“This is an incredible achievement and just reward for our more than 400 staff who work across our two properties on the Ashford estate,” said Niall Rochford, General Manager. “I’m thrilled for Chef Jonathan who has lead his team at The Lodge for more than ten years and creates fantastic flavourful dishes that let the produce, sourced locally and on the estate, do the talking.
The Spa at Ashford Castle.
“I’m particularly proud of our Gold Medal in the area of sustainability. It has been an operational priority for many years, and we have made significant progress in reducing our carbon footprint with everyone on the estate contributing to the effort, the ideas and the outcomes.
“The Spa at Ashford is an incredible oasis of calm and one of a number of jewels in the Ashford Castle crown. The team at The Spa treat our guests with exceptional professionalism, not to mention pampering, and the Gold Medal win will mean the world to them.”
Each shortlisted hotel is blind site inspected by the Gold Medal Awards judging panel, which is made up of industry experts from a range of hospitality sectors. They compile scores and meet together to decide on finalists, and then winners in each category.
