An incredible achievement in the culinary world.
Six Irish restaurants were minted with a total of seven Michelin stars at last night's Michelin awards ceremony, held in London.
Aimsir restaurant, which opened at the Cliff at Lyons hotel in Kildare just four months ago, pulled off the remarkable achievement of receiving two-star status at the first time of asking.
Aimsir head chef Jordan Bailey said: "With our opening only a matter of months before the Guide was due to be launched, we never thought Aimsir would even be on their radar for this year. It has been a huge surprise and we are so thankful that Michelin took the time to come out to visit us so quickly."
Among the other winners was The Oak Room, which is located in Adare Manor. Its win makes it the only Michelin star restaurant in Limerick. The Oak Room also won its own Sommelier Award.
Dublin's The Greenhouse on Dawson Street doubled its number of stars, starting the night with one and ending with two. Variety Jones, on Dublin's Thomas Street, picked up its first star.
Also honoured at the prestigious ceremony were Bastion in Kinsale, and The Muddlers in Belfast.
The Sustainability Award was won by Loam, in Galway, which already had one star.
The awards bring the total number of stars in Ireland to 18 — three two-star restaurants and 15 one-star restaurants.
"This is an amazing year for the Republic of Ireland, with five new Michelin Stars being awarded – two of them at two-star level. This brings the total number of Starred restaurants in Ireland up to 18 and is just reward for the determination of young chefs who are keen to make their mark on the Irish dining scene," said Rebecca Burr, Director of the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.
