Exciting times as Deanes are shortlisted for not one, not two, but three prestigious Food & Wine Awards!

This year’s Food & Wine Awards, the country’s most respected food industry awards, have recognised the multi-faceted and talented staff that work to provide consistently excellent food and service across the Deanes group of restaurants, and Deanes have been nominated in three different categories. The Seafood Bar has been shortlisted in the Best Ulster Restaurant category, Simon Toye, the head chef of Deanes, Howard Street is up for Best Ulster Chef, and Deanes front of house staff have been nominated for a Best Service Award!

Due to be announced on Sunday August 21^st at a lunch event in Dublin, the Food & Wine Magazine Penfolds Restaurant of the Year Awards, now in their 11^th year, are recognised as the most prestigious and authoritative culinary awards in the Irish calendar and are the industry awards most keenly anticipated by restaurateurs, hoteliers and staff. Voted on by the public as well as with a significant vote from the (top secret) Food & Wine Awards judging panel, made up of Ireland’s top experts including food and wine critics and leaders from the hospitality industry, these awards really mean something significant to recipients.

“Being nominated in three different categories this year is a great feeling,” says Michael Deane, “and I am so pleased for all the staff involved. Simon has been doing a sterling job as head chef at Deanes on Howard Street – overseeing the Circle, the main restaurant and the Seafood Bar is a big ask, but I am delighted his ease, flair and consistency have been recognised. Our front of house team headed by the redoubtable Frenchman Alain Kerloc’h are second to none, and the pleasure that guests get from our Seafood Bar is something I’m particularly happy about. Added to our earlier success with Chris Fearon, our chef from Deanes at Queens winning in the Great British Menu, this year just gets better and better!”

Deanes is not just about one of the finest dining experiences on the island, with Belfast’s best-loved restaurateur at the top of his game at the helm. As well as the Howard Street restaurant, Deanes is also about a classy and cosy Seafood Bar, a bright and buzzing restaurant in Deanes at Queens, a funky, atmospheric bistro, café and tapas bar with Deanes Deli Bistro and Vin Café, and a lively outlet beyond Belfast’s city limits with Simply Deanes - all constantly thronged with diners out to enjoy ambience, value and terrific food.

“We have a great track record in these awards,” says Alain Kerloc’h, Director of Service for the group and restaurant manager at Deanes, Howard Street, “and while we were very honoured to have won the overall Service Award in 2009, it means a lot to the team to be shortlisted again this year, especially when you look at the other nominees.” Saul McConnell, Seafood Bar & Tapas Bar manager agrees. “It is brilliant to be shortlisted,” he says, “and while we are up against some serious competition, the Seafood Bar is hugely popular with diners, and as Deanes, Howard Street already won Best Ulster Restaurant in 2007 and 2010, it would be great if the Seafood Bar got a Food & Wine Award this year – hopefully it’s our turn now!”