A RESTAURANT in west Cork is the newest addition to the growing list of Michelin grade eateries in the Republic of Ireland.
The accolade went to Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, a Turkish-cuisine-inspired restaurant established in Baltimore village in 2017.
In a testament to Irish culinary excellence, it marks the 21st Michelin star to be awarded to the island of Ireland, with eighteen restaurants in the Republic and three in the North already being honoured.
Head chef Ahmet Dede was previously awarded a Michelin star in 2019 for his Cork Mews restaurant.
A Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' - an acknowledgement of great quality and price - was also awarded to four of the Irish recipients: Table Forty-One in Wexford, Goldie in Cork, Spitalfields pub in Dublin and Volpe Nera in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Three Galway restaurants - Kai and Loam restaurants, the Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites on the Aran Islands - were awarded a green Michelin star for their eco-friendly business practices, including waste avoidance and the reduction of plastic use in their supply chains.
The Galway establishments are understood to work closely with local farmers, buying locally sourced and seasonal produce for their kitchens, and will each be given a green sustainability symbol as identification.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, acknowledged the great strain placed on the hospitality sector by Covid-19.
He also congratulated 2020's Michelin star recipients.
"The Michelin Guide is about promoting the hospitality industry as a whole and we want to shine a light on the hard work, tenacity and commitment of chefs and restaurant teams," he said.
Full list of Irelands Michelin star restaurants:
Two stars:
- Aimsir in Celbridge, Co. Kildare
- Greenhouse in Dublin
- Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin
One star:
- The Oak Room in Adare Manor, Co. Limerick
- House in Cliff House Hotel, Co. Waterford
- Chestnut in Ballydehob, Co. Cork
- Liath in Blackrock, Co. Dublin
- Ichigo Ichie in Cork City
- Chapter One in Dublin
- L’Ecrivain in Dublin
- Variety Jones in Dublin
- Aniar in Galway
- Loam in Galway
- Campagne in Kilkenny
- Bastion in Kinsale, Co. Cork
- Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
- Lady Helen in Kilkenny
- Dede in Baltimore, Co. Cork
