THE restaurant industry’s national awards night was held at a gala event in Dublin this week and the Mid West again was represented with gusto, style and substance at the Restaurant Association of Ireland awards for 2012. La Cucina, owned and very successfully run by food loving pair, Lorraine Fanneran and Bruno Coppola rose to the top of the best casual dining category by taking the provincial crown for best in Munster. The Italian eatery on the outskirts of the city did battle with Caviston’s in Leinster, Il Pirata in Ulster and the eventual overall winner O’Connells in Dublin.
A superb run for the former two time national winner, Lorraine said that they at LaCucina were delighted to be recognised again at a provincial level and would continue to strive to bring the best in Italian fare with a nod to local produce.
Other winners included the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna who scooped the best gastro pub award for Munster.
The Long Room@Doonbeg took the best hotel restaurant at both provincial and national level while chef Wade Murphy from the county Clare resort hotel was recognised for his sterling efforts when he took the prize for best chef in Munster.
Dromoland Castle took the Industry Category award for best practice in Energy Management.
