Sponsors

Tipperary is the Chef 2012 Award sponsor.

Tipperary Natural Mineral Water is born after a journey of over 50 years through The Devils Bit Mountain in the heart of County Tipperary. This award winning Natural Mineral Water is bottled at source in the village of Borrisoleigh where the mountain range acts as a large natural aquifer of unspoilt countryside. The source is found beneath a layer of Devonian sandstone at a depth of 100 metres.

Santa Rita is the Restaurant 2012 Award sponsor.

Santa Rita has a rich and illustrious history of wine making since 1814. A nine time ‘Winery of the Year’ recipient from Wine & Spirits Magazine, Santa Rita ranks among Chile’s top winemakers and enjoys a global reputation for producing some of the World’s most heavenly wines. The style of Santa Rita Reserva wines is fruity, dynamic and well-structured. The winemaker’s objective is to create wines that optimally reflect the typical characteristics of each variety, both in aroma and flavor. At the same time, the wines have the required complexity, concentration, elegance and balance, giving a tasteful and long lasting expression.

LIFE magazine is Ireland’s best-read magazine with almost 700,000 readers weekly.  It covers LIFE itself, playing to readers’ broad interests in fashion, television, cookery, beauty, health, eating-out and interiors.  Edited by Brendan O’Connor, LIFE’s weekly insight into Ireland’s goings-on is both topical and humorous.  Regular favourites include restaurant reviewer Lucinda O’Sullivan, cooking experts Brenda Costigan and Susan-Jane Murray, beauty guru Triona McCarthy, and interiors insider Mary O’Sullivan. 

LIFE magazine are proud sponsors of the Irish Restaurants Awards for the third-year running and value the input from readers in the nomination process. 

This year sees the introduction of the LIFE Magazine Local Food Heroes Award, which recognises inspirational foodies throughout Ireland and is chosen by readers. 

The family-run company of Maison Louis Latour is one of the most highly-respected négociant-éléveurs in Burgundy. Renowned throughout the world for the quality of its red and white wines, the company has built a reputation for tradition and innovation.

Regarded as one of the traditional négociant-éléveurs, Maison Louis Latour is the producer of some of the finest Burgundian wines but has also pioneered the production of fine wines from outside of the confines of Burgundy.

Thomas Barton is the Casual Dining 2012 Award sponsor.

Thomas Barton wines are the epitome of classic Bordeaux: powerful, fruity and elegantly oaked, the modern equivalent of the great wines of the 18th century, those that Thomas Barton might have enjoyed and chosen himself. The Thomas Barton range’s packaging also reflects the founder's personality and his times: a heavy 18th century-style Bordeaux bottle with a short coloured capsule. The label combines the sobriety of Thomas Barton’s character and the unique, classic elegance of 18th century.

Bodegas Faustino is the Gastro Pub 2012 Award sponsor.

The Bodegas Faustino is a historic one with its vineyards dating back to 1861. Despite the historical connections the modern brand of Faustino wines did not hit the market until the arrival of Faustino I in 1960. Today the Bodegas Faustino is located in Oyon, just 4.5km from the town of Logrono. As such the Bodegas Faustino is in the heart of the Rioja region ensuring that the wine is a true representative of the region. Bodegas Faustino produces three classic Rioja wines today under the names Faustino I, V and VII. Faustino VII is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and just 5% Mazuelo. The wine is aged in American oak for 10 months before bottling, it is recommended that the wine is served at around 16-17C.