Congratulations to chef and broadcaster Mark Moriarty for winning ‘Food Book of the Year’ at this year’s Listowel Food Fair, for his recipe book Season, and to Gill Books, Mark’s publisher. The festival committee praised the celebrity chef for his “rich and varied collection of seasonal recipes, with dishes expertly tailored to suit every palate”.
This year also marks the second year of the Listowel Food Fair’s ‘Food Writer and Influencer of the Year Award’, which Jeremy was delighted and proud to be involved in. Discussing the philosophy behind the award, Jeremy remarked, “The Award aims to acknowledge an exceptional writer who explores and increases our understanding of food through the written word in all its forms.”
This year’s winner was food writer, broadcaster and author Caroline Hennessy, who is perhaps best known for her website Bibliocook: All About Food.
Chairperson of the Listowel Food Fair, former Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, remarked, “On behalf of Listowel Food Fair, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Mark and Caroline for winning their respective awards. Listowel is both a literary and culinary centre, so it is only fitting that the Listowel Food Fair celebrates the fusion of food and words, celebrating writers who enhance our understanding of food through the power of the written word. Themes such as sustainability and healthy living have been at the forefront of the Food Fair’s programme since its inception, and I’m delighted that sustainability remains central to the judges’ criteria for both awards.”
On receiving the ‘Book of the Year Award’, Mark said, “Delighted to have won ‘Book of the Year’ at the Listowel Food Fair for 2024. It’s an honour to join a list of such esteemed authors. I’m very proud, particularly given my family connections to Kerry and the fact that it’s where I started my cooking career over fifteen years ago.”
Caroline Hennessy is a member of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild, a McKennas’ Guide Editor and a Ballymaloe Cookery School graduate, she is also the author of The Official Guinness Cookbook.
On receiving the Award, Caroline remarked, “I’ve spent almost twenty-five years working on many different platforms in the food writing world and I’m delighted and honoured that my writing and communication about Irish food has been recognised by the Listowel Food Fair. “
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