"It's all down to our staff" says Athlone restaurant owner as it wins two major awards

The owner of Thyme, the critically-acclaimed Athlone restaurant, has paid tribute to the dedication of its staff after it took home two prestigious honours from this week's Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Custume Place eatery received the Best Restaurant in Leinster and Best Emerging Irish Cuisine in Leinster awards at the event held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin, on Monday.

The proprietor of the restaurant, John Coffey, said these honours were testament to the hard graft put in by the members of his team.

"We are delighted. It's great recognition for all of the hours that the staff put in day after day. It's all down to them, really," he told the Westmeath Independent.

"It's also a reflection of the quality of the producers and farmers whose ingredients make up our menus."

Thyme is no stranger to industry accolades, having been awarded the Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' distinction in 2019, which it has retained each year since. It was also named as the top restaurant in Westmeath in an 'Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants List' compiled by The Sunday Times earlier this year.

John said such awards were important for raising the profile of the restaurant.

"It all helps. It's great for the customers, and it obviously increases business, gets people talking about us, and gets people coming back. It's motivation for the staff and great recognition for their hard work," he said.

The Irish Restaurant Awards final, at which Thyme collected its two awards, was attended by almost 1,200 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff.

Speaking at the event, Paul Lenehan, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said the 130,000 public nominations that were received for the awards this year represented a new record.

"The awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, hotels, pubs and restaurants of Ireland. As an industry, the restaurateurs, pub-owners and entrepreneurs of Ireland continue to defy the odds.

"You strive to create jobs, expand upon Ireland's understanding of food standards and world cuisine, all while maintaining exemplary customer service. Your support of Irish produce has never been greater and for this you should be wholeheartedly applauded."

Prior to this week's national final in Dublin, regional Irish Restaurant Awards were held in March in Limerick, Kildare, Monaghan and Sligo.

Chapter One in Dublin, which has two Michelin stars, was named as the best restaurant in Ireland at this week's event.