We are thrilled to announce that the finalists for the second annual Gold Medal Catering Awards 2026 have been officially revealed!
Building upon the esteemed 37-year legacy of the Gold Medal Hotel Awards, Ireland’s most trusted celebration of hospitality excellence, this dedicated platform returns for its second year to honour innovation, leadership, and outstanding achievement across Ireland’s catering industry.
Following a fantastic debut last year, the standard of entries for 2026 has been nothing short of exceptional. With over 150 submissions, the sheer caliber of talent on display highlights a sector rich in creativity, passion, and skill. From innovative business dining to healthcare hospitality and unforgettable event catering, this year's finalists represent the absolute peak of professionalism, celebrating the true visionaries who are consistently raising standards across the country.
After the incredible success of our debut last year, the response to the second annual awards has been phenomenal. The caliber of entries this year shows that Ireland's catering sector is continuously raising the bar for innovation and quality. It’s an honour to spotlight the dedication of these finalists, and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements together this July.
Trish Murphy, Head of Sales and Sponsorship, Ashville Media
As we prepare to honour the best in taste, creativity, and service, the Gold Medal Catering Awards are firmly cementing their place as the ultimate benchmark for industry excellence.
The winners will be announced at a spectacular Black-Tie Gala and Awards Ceremony, taking place at Clontarf Castle, Dublin, on Friday, 3rd of July 2026.
The winners will be announced at a spectacular Black-Tie Gala and Awards Ceremony, taking place at Clontarf Castle, Dublin, on Friday, 3rd of July 2026.
Our Award Details:
- Date of Awards: Friday, July 3rd 2026
- Time: 6pm to 11pm
- Dress Code: Black Tie
- Location: Clontarf Castle, Dublin
For any media or interview queries, please contact Jill Thornton, Head of Events, Ashville Media on 01-6401777 or events@ashvillemediagroup.com
Gold Medal Catering Award Finalists 2026
| Area Manager Of The Year BaxterStorey Ireland - Patricia Heavey Compass Group Ireland - BNY - Stephen Gunn Compass Group Ireland - BNY Mellon Dublin - Pawel Pociejkowicz |
| Barista Of The Year Compass Group Ireland - KKR - Alex Carlier ISS at HPE Galway - Klaudia Wlodarczak KC Peaches - Gabriel Tudorin Malahide Golf Club - Jack Moran |
| Business & Industry Contract Caterer Of The Year - 1- 250 Employees On Site Aramark Ireland - The Junction CCSL - Sage, Westpark Business Park Compass Group Ireland - KKR Fresh & Yummy Gourmet Catering KC Peaches at Cartrawler The Q Cafe Company @ Abbott Ireland |
| Business & Industry Contract Caterer Of The Year - Over 250 Employees On Site Sponsored by Excel Recruitment Aramark Ireland - State Street BaxterStorey Ireland - Alexion CCSL - Embecta Compass Group Ireland - BNY Food Space - Bristol Myers Squibb ISS at Amgen Sodexo - The Good Eating Company - Diageo Ireland The Q Cafe Company @ Teagasc Moorepark |
| Catering Assistant of The Year Compass Group Ireland - Deloitte - Abosede Soyoye Fresh & Yummy Gourmet Catering - Lucas Manzoni ISS at Amgen - Una Ryan The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club - Clodagh Murray |
| Catering Company Of The Year Sponsored by Hotel & Catering Review Winner will be announced on the night |
| Catering Manager Of The Year CCSL - Cregranna Medical - Donnacha O'Mahony Compass Group Ireland - Citibank - John O'Brien Críoch Catering- Ronan Bennett Elm Park Golf & Sports Club CLG - Paul Dunlea Food Space - Abbott Vascular Clonmel - Bobby Carrigan ISS at HPE Galway - Nora Colombani Malahide Golf Club - Michael Babic Master Chefs at Maynooth University - Agnes Sokolowska Nua Mentalhealthcare, Gormanston - Maggie Finnegan |
| Chef Manager of The Year CCSL - Valeo Vision Systems, Galway - Avril Nestor Compass Group Ireland - Calor Gas - Keith Dunne Malahide Golf Club - Anton Roseler Sweet Cicely Ltd - Giuseppe Cabiddu The Q Cafe Company - Francesca Cargani |
| Club or Society Catering of the Year Elm Park Golf & Sports Club CLG Enniscrone Golf Club Malahide Golf Club Royal Irish Yacht Club Slattery Catering The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club The Willow Tree Restaurant & Catering Ltd. |
| Foodservice Chef Of The Year Sponsored by BWG Food Service Compass Group Ireland - RCSI - Karl O’Hara Emerald Bites - Paul Fulop Food Space - Abbott Kilkenny - Rory Nolan The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club - Armands Ceimers The Q Cafe Company - Philip Brennan |
| Health & Nutrition Menu Of The Year Ashdale Catering Ltd BaxterStorey Ireland - Mastercard Compass Group Ireland - Glanmore Foods Emeis Ireland - Beneavin House Food Space - Abbott Kilkenny Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly) KC Peaches at Cartrawler Nua Mentalhealthcare, Gormanston Sodexo - The Good Eating Company - Diageo Ireland The National Maternity Hospital The Q Cafe Company @ Abbott Ireland |
| Healthcare Caterer Of The Year Sponsored by Henderson BaxterStorey Ireland - Blackrock Clinic Emeis Ireland - Beneavin House Nua Mentalhealthcare, Gormanston The National Maternity Hospital The Q cafe Company @ Leopardstown Care Centre The Q Cafe Company @ St Patricks Mental Health Services The Q Cafe Company @ UPMC SSC |
| Ireland's Event Caterer - 100 Guests Or Less 3Cooks Críoch Catering Emerald Bites Lily & Wild Catering Peter Campbell Catering Slattery Catering Sweet Cicely Ltd |
| Ireland's Event Caterer - 100 Guests Or More Sponsored by Hotel & Catering Review 3Cooks Food Space - Bristol Myers Squibb Lily & Wild Catering Master Chefs at Dexcom Stadium Orla McAndrew Food Ltd Slattery Catering |
| Kitchen Porter Of The Year CCSL - Valeo Vision Systems, Galway - John Ward Compass Group Ireland - Jim Musyoki Sweet Cicely Ltd - Simon Fallon |
| Marketing Manager/ Team Of The Year 3Cooks Compass Group Ireland Marketing Team Sweet Cicely Ltd - Amanda Garuti |
| Menu Provenance Of The Year 3Cooks BaxterStorey Ireland - Blackrock Clinic Críoch Catering KC Peaches at Cartrawler Orla McAndrew Food Ltd Peter Campbell Catering Sodexo - The Good Eating Company - Diageo Ireland |
| Off-Site Educational Contract Caterer Of The Year Ashdale Catering Ltd Compass Group Ireland - Glanmore Foods Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly) KC Peaches at CPU |
| On-Site Educational Contract Caterer Of The Year BaxterStorey Ireland - St Columba’s College CCSL - IMI Compass Group Ireland - RSCI Master Chefs at Maynooth University PPA Treat Cafe Ltd |
| Outstanding Customer Service Of The Year Sponsored by BBLO 3Cooks Aramark Ireland - AIB Molesworth Street Compass Group Ireland - Flutter Entertainment Food Space - Bristol Myers Squibb Hot School Meals (Bradbury & Connolly) KC Peaches at Viatris MDR Malahide Golf Club Orla McAndrew Food Ltd Peter Campbell Catering Slattery Catering Sweet Cicely Ltd The Mulligan Room Macroom Golf Club |
| Professional Development & Training Initiatives Of The Year Aramark Ireland - ELEVATE BaxterStorey Ireland - The Management Development Programme (MDP) Compass Group Ireland & National Learning Network Partnership - John Reilly |
| Public Sector Food Of The Year Críoch Catering ISS at Uiscé Eireann The National Maternity Hospital The Q Cafe Company @ Teagasc Moorepark |
| Rising Star Winner to be announced on the night |
| Special Recognition Winner will be announced on the night |
| Sustainability Site Of The Year Aramark Ireland - SAP BaxterStorey Ireland - Mastercard Críoch Catering Food Space - Abbott Vascular Clonmel ISS at Vhi Kilkenny KC Peaches at Cartrawler Master Chefs at Ellan Farm Orla McAndrew Food Ltd Peter Campbell Catering Sodexo - The Good Eating Company - Diageo Ireland The Q Cafe Company @ Environmental Protection Agency |
| Wedding Event Caterer Of The Year Winner will be announced on the night |
For more information on the Gold Medal Catering Awards please visit our website or contact the Events Team on (01) 640-1777 or email events@ashvillemediagroup.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
Ashville Media Group
Unit 55 Park West Road
Dublin 12
t. +353 (0) 16401777
e. events@ashvillemediagroup.com
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© Copyright 2026 - ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP Ltd. | PRIVACY STATEMENT | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
Unit 55 Park West Road
Dublin 12
t. +353 (0) 16401777
e. events@ashvillemediagroup.com
This email was sent to you through Prowly.com PR Software on behalf of Ashville Media Group
© Copyright 2026 - ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP Ltd. | PRIVACY STATEMENT | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
