As we will soon be saying *Goodbye* to 2013, a year which turned out to be somewhat of a roller-coaster for me, and not in a good way, I would like to pay tribute to Chefs, Restaurateurs, and all those who work in the hospitality and food world, you work so hard to give your customers great food, and a positive dining experience.

In no particular order, here is my “end of year” round-up of what we have enjoyed this year.

Raising our glasses to Head Chef and Restaurateurs, Liam Moloughney and his Wife, Michelle, who have been a joy to know and call our friends, for quite number of years now.

Thank you to all at Moloughney’s in Clontarf for helping us celebrate some very special moments throughout 2013.

A bit closer to home now, and since they moved here, Husband and Wife team, Head Chef Reuven Diaz and Jeni Glasgow who own and run The Eastern Seaboard Bar and Grill have been offering us classic American and Asian dishes, and, of course, Irish ones too. You make us feel so welcome, no matter how many times we visit.  Your menu and “Specials Board” are such a delight, making great use of locally sourced ingredients.  Looking forward to seeing your new website which will be up and running in the new year.  Thank you Reuven, Jeni, Robert, Noel, and all the staff at the restaurant, to Sinéad and staff at The Brown Hound Bakery for making our dining experiences very special.

To Gwen, Pat, and all the folks at Stockwell Artisan Foods, in Drogheda. You continue to promote local producers, and your own delicious recipes and products too.    You greet each customer as if they were your friend, a very welcoming environment to dine-in or take-away.

To The Tower Bar and Grill, at Millmount, Drogheda.  Head Chef Mark Fearn and his team are continuously coming up with new ideas and seasonal recipes, while supporting local producers and their products. Here’s to Justin, Mark, Neil, Janet, Declan and all the FOH staff who are doing so well in the historic surroundings of Millmount.  We thoroughly enjoy and delight at the dishes you are producing. You always accommodate us, no matter how busy you are, and that is so much appreciated.

Heading away down South, now, to Head Chef/Patron Kate Lawlor’s Restaurant, No. 5 Fenns Quay in Cork City,  you will find a hearty Cork welcome there. Her FOH staff are a complete joy.  Here’s to Cian, and all the staff who make our visits such a treat. So much great local produce on Kate’s doorstep, which she and her team are putting to great use.

Remember this, when you dine out, there is so much which goes on behind the scenes to make your experience memorable, for all the right reasons, and, the next day, they do it all over all again.

Those who have heart, vision, drive and passion about what they to do, and constantly deliver those dishes which make you smile, and say “wow”, when your plate arrives at your table, and another “wow” when you taste it, and want to share around the table, are true Artists.  As I was told, and so appreciated, recently by a restaurateur… “you absolutely get what we do here”.  My answer was a resounding “Yes, We Do”.

So, to all of you, who make our nights out in restaurants great, we salute you.  To the Chefs whose dishes we have enjoyed throughout 2013, to the Food Producers and Growers, Restaurants, Cafés, Bakeries, Independent Food Shops and Farmers Markets we have visited and those we have yet to visit, we wish you and your families a Very Happy Christmas, and Holiday Season.  Continued success to each and every one of you for 2014.