Irish stars shine bright in 2021 Michelin Guide

Dede, located in the village of Baltimore on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, has gained a Michelin Star in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland thanks to the efforts of its “supremely talented” head chef Ahmet Dede.

Turkish-born Dede is no stranger to Michelin, having been awarded one star in the 2019 edition of the guide for his Mews restaurant in the same coastal village.

His new restaurant features a seasonal menu celebrating the distinctive produce of West Cork, with dishes such as Sherkin Island oyster tart, or wild Irish venison with spiced red cabbage, redcurrant, buckwheat and orange, all with plenty of personality and a subtle hint at its head chef’s Turkish heritage.

The newest Irish restaurant to gain one star was announced at this year’s Michelin revelation, which moved online and into a digital-only publication for 2021 to account for the effect of the pandemic on the restaurant trade worldwide.

The ceremony saw four Irish restaurants receive a new Michelin Bib Gourmand, which highlights restaurants offering good food at competitive prices.

Goldie in Cork city, Spitalfields pub in Dublin, Table Forty One in County Wexford and Volpe Nera in County Dublin were the recipients of the prestigious honour.

Michelin Green Stars, a new accolade for restaurants highlighting sustainability, were announced for the first time in 2021, with three Irish restaurants all based in Galway scooping the award. 

Loam, Kai and Inis Meáin Restaurant on Inishmaan, one of the three Aran Islands, work extensively with local farmers, fishermen and other suppliers. Well-known for the way they prioritise the use of seasonal produce throughout the year, the three restaurants epitomise an area long celebrated for offering some of the most innovative and considered food in Ireland.

Around the island of Ireland, eateries that continue to hold two Michelin Stars from previous years include Aimsir in Celbridge, County Kildare and Dublin’s Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and The Greenhouse.

The Michelin starscape of Belfast remains unchanged with Ox, Eipic and The Muddler's Club retaining a star each, in parallel with other one-star establishments that include Campagne in Kilkenny and House in the Cliff House Hotel, County Waterford.

This year’s Michelin ceremony also presented Noble in Holywood, County Down – a Bib Gourmand holder – with the 'Welcome and Service' award for charming service which helps to create a truly memorable dining experience.

And Ross Lewis of one-star establishment Chapter One in Dublin received the ‘Mentor Chef of the Year’ award in recognition of his nurturing of young chef talent.

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