Irish chefs took all the prizes in the International Banqueting Competition organised by the Epicurean World Master Chefs Society, which concluded in Limerick and Bunratty at the weekend in conjunction with the Limerick Food Festival.
Mr Michael Martin, executive chef at the Clarence Hotel in Dublin, won the Grand Prix Mondial award. He was in competition with seven chefs from the US, South Africa and the Continent, who were asked to prepare a meal which included Irish salmon. The Irish team was the overall winner, taking all the international banqueting prizes as well as excelling in the cheeseboard display category.
Mr Pat O'Sullivan, executive chef at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick, the Irish team captain, accepted the prizes on behalf of the team. The other members of the Irish team were: Mr John Sheehan, Killarney Towers and Leisure Centre, Mr Geert Maes, Gabys restaurant, Killarney, Mr Derek McLoughlin, West Country House and Golf Course, Dublin, and Mr Derek Clarke, L'Ecrivain restaurant, Dublin.