Congratulations from everyone at Totally Dublin to our restaurant critic Conor Stevens on his well deserved win at this year’s Irish Food Writing Awards.
Founded by food writer and broadcaster Suzanne Campbell, the Irish Food Writing Awards recognise excellence, insight and creativity across food writing, broadcasting, podcasting, social media and photography, acknowledging both established voices and rising talent across Ireland’s vibrant food media community.
In the face of stiff competition, Conor took home the gong in the Restaurant Critic Award category for work in the Sunday Times, which was judged by Masterchef, writer & broadcaster Jimi Famurewa.
Over the years, readers of this magazine have had the benefit of musings drawn from a lifetime’s pursuit of Conor’s decidedly catholic taste in food.
While primarily critiquing the dining scene on his home turf of Dublin, his unique monthly reviews regularly reference his time in cities such as New York and London, drawing heavily on the latter to explain why, in his view, a certain establishment on Dawson Street operated like ‘a gilded trough’ in what was hands-down one of his most widely read columns online.
More recently, subjects have included a return to the room overlooking College Park in Trinity where himself and his wonderful missus enjoyed their wedding breakfast, and a surprisingly nostalgic homage to cheap noodles hidden in plain sight in less than salubrious grocery stores.
In the past year, Conor has also contributed work to The Sunday Times and The Irish Times.
Well-earned – Dine on Mr. S!
Winners on the night also included two former contributors to this magazine, Aoife Carrigy and Shamin de Brun.
Congrats to all concerned. The full list of winners is as follows:
Food Writing Award
Judged by Hannah Twiggs, sponsored by Bord Bia
Winner: Corinna Hardgrave
Irish Food or Drink Podcast Award
Judged by Nigel Barden, sponsored by Sharon Noonan
Winner: Janine Kennedy “Food Island”
Writing on Food Heritage and History Award
Judged by Dr Neil Buttery, sponsored by Ballymaloe Foods
Winner: Kitty Corrigan for essays published in the “Irish Kitchen”
Writing on Irish Food Producers Award
Judged by Dan Saladino, sponsored by Certified Irish Angus
Winner: Sylvia Thompson, Irish Times
Writing on Seafood Award
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Glenmar Seafood
Winner: Ciara Shine for “Ciara’s Catch”
Writing on Sustainability in Irish Food and Drink Award
Judged by Tom Hunt, sponsored by &Smyth Communications
Winner: Dee Sewell
Irish Food and Drink Magazine Award
Judged by Felicity Cloake, sponsored by Butlers Chocolate
Winner: Guzzle Magazine
Cookbook of the Year Award
Judged by Colman Andrews, sponsored by Gather + Gather Ireland
Winner: “The Irish Kitchen” by Cherie Denham, Kitty Corrigan and photography by Andrew Montgomery
Cookery Writing Award
Judged by Rebecca May Johnson, sponsored by Begleys Fresh Produce
Winner: Paula McIntyre, Belfast Telegraph
Wine Writing Award
Judged by Oz Clarke, sponsored by Whelehans Wines
Winner: Aoife Carrigy
Beer Writing Award
Judged by Richard Croasdale, sponsored by Rascals Brewery
Winner: Gary Law, Belfast Telegraph
Drinks Writing Award
Judged by Tim Hayward, sponsored by Powerscourt Distillery
Winner: Shamim de Brún
Culinary Student Award
Judged by Jess Murphy and Ed Cooney Sponsored by Kerrygold
Winner: Charlie Ward
Food Photography Award, Amateur Category
Judged by Issy Croker, sponsored by Odaios Foods
Winner: Matej Bloksa
Food Photography Award, Professional Category
Judged by Issy Croker, sponsored by Odaios Foods
Winner: Monika Coghlan
Writing on International Cuisines
Judged by Sejal Sukhadwala
Winner: Roxana Manouchehri
Restaurant Critic Award
Judged by Jimi Famurewa
Winner: Conor Stevens
Food Blog Award
Judged by Katy Everson, sponsored by Pestle + Mortar
Winner: El Michelin; Erick Carrillo
Emerging Writer Award
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Ireland’s Blue Book
Winner: Giselle Makinde
Irish Food on Instagram/Tiktok award
Judged by Sandy Clarke, sponsored by Coole Swan
Winner: Chris Mellon of Dublin Social
Outstanding Achievement Award
Sponsored by James Whelan Butchers
Winner: Máirín Uí Chomáin
