IFWA Winners 2026
What an amazing evening celebrating Ireland’s food and drink writers at the Irish Food Writing Awards which took place at O’Reilly Hall, UCD.
Of note this year was the number of awards won by writers living in Ireland from international backgrounds, who write so wonderfully about food and drink from their unique perspectives. Erick Carillo from Mexico, Giselle Makinde from Brazil, Matej Bloksa from the Czech Republic and Roxana Manouchehri from Iran all won their categories, with Giselle and Roxana speaking eloquently on the night about what food writing meant to them.
This, the sixth year of the awards, was a night of celebrating wins, but also honouring legacies. Recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Achievement award, the late Ernie Whalley was remembered, having graced the stage just a year ago. Poignantly, the first award of the evening, the Food Writing Award, was won posthumously by Corinna Hardgrave of The Irish Times and presented to her husband Steve, with tributes from awards organiser Suzanne Campbell, and praise from the award category judge Hannah Twiggs, who had made her selection before Corinna’s recent passing.
Hannah, who is food and drink editor of The Independent (UK), said that Corinna’s entries contained “extensive” reporting and “excellent” detail. “She clearly knew the industry inside out,” Twiggs added. She also praised Hardgrave’s foodie guide to County Clare from late last year, saying it told a story about “farming, food and place”, leaving the reader feeling as if they were exploring with her, “smelling and tasting everything along the way”.
Northern writers took away two awards, with Gary Law winning the Beer Writing Award, and his colleague Paula McIntyre who also writes in the Belfast Telegraph winning the Cookery Writing Award. Connemara native and a former chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild, Máirín Uí Chomáin is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award. The award was accepted on her behalf by her son Cormac Commins, following a citation by Caroline Hennessy. Creative Director and Food Writer Conor Stevens won the Restaurant Critic Award, judged by renowned critic, writer and Masterchef (BBC) judge Jimi Famurewa.
Competition was stiff in the Cookbook of the Year Award with The Irish Kitchen by Cherie Denham with Kitty Corrigan, with photography by Andrew Montgomery taking away this prestigious award, judged by Saveur Magazine co-founder Colman Andrews.
It was wonderful to have judges Andy Clarke and Charlotte Pike MBE attend the awards evening from the UK and celebrate with attendees at the after party in The Merrion hotel. We couldn’t hold these awards without our amazing sponsor companies so thanks to each and every one of you for your continued support of independent journalism and high standards in Irish food and drink writing.
Entries for the 2027 awards will open next March and keep an eye on our socials for all the details.
All the 2026 winners:
Food Writing Award
Judged by Hannah Twiggs, sponsored by Bord Bia
Winner: Corinna Hardgrave
Irish Food or Drink Podcast Award
Judged by Nigel Barden, sponsored by Sharon Noonan
Winner: Janine Kennedy "Food Island"
Writing on Food Heritage and History Award
Judged by Dr Neil Buttery, sponsored by Ballymaloe Foods
Winner: Kitty Corrigan for essays published in the "Irish Kitchen”
Writing on Irish Food Producers Award
Judged by Dan Saladino, sponsored by Certified Irish Angus
Winner: Sylvia Thompson, Irish Times
Writing on Seafood Award
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Glenmar Seafood
Winner: Ciara Shine for "Ciara's Catch”
Writing on Sustainability in Irish Food and Drink Award
Judged by Tom Hunt, sponsored by &Smyth Communications
Winner: Dee Sewell
Irish Food and Drink Magazine Award
Judged by Felicity Cloake, sponsored by Butlers Chocolate
Winner: Guzzle Magazine
Cookbook of the Year Award
Judged by Colman Andrews, sponsored by Gather + Gather Ireland
Winner: “The Irish Kitchen” by Cherie Denham, Kitty Corrigan and photography by
Andrew Montgomery
Cookery Writing Award
Judged by Rebecca May Johnson, sponsored by Begleys Fresh Produce
Winner: Paula McIntyre, Belfast Telegraph
Wine Writing Award
Judged by Oz Clarke, sponsored by Whelehans Wines
Winner: Aoife Carrigy
Beer Writing Award
Judged by Richard Croasdale, sponsored by Rascals Brewery
Winner: Gary Law, Belfast Telegraph
Drinks Writing Award
Judged by Tim Hayward, sponsored by Powerscourt Distillery
Winner: Shamim de Brún
Culinary Student Award
Judged by Jess Murphy and Ed Cooney Sponsored by Kerrygold
Winner: Charlie Ward
Food Photography Award, Amateur Category
Judged by Issy Croker, sponsored by Odaios Foods
Winner: Matej Bloksa
Food Photography Award, Professional Category
Judged by Issy Croker, sponsored by Odaios Foods
Winner: Monika Coghlan
Writing on International Cuisines
Judged by Sejal Sukhadwala
Winner: Roxana Manouchehri
Restaurant Critic Award
Judged by Jimi Famurewa
Winner: Conor Stevens
Food Blog Award
Judged by Katy Everson, sponsored by Pestle + Mortar
Winner: El Michelin; Erick Carrillo
Emerging Writer Award
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Ireland's Blue Book
Winner: Giselle Makinde
Irish Food on Instagram/Tiktok award
Judged by Sandy Clarke, sponsored by Coole Swan
Winner: Chris Mellon of Dublin Social
Outstanding Achievement Award
Sponsored by James Whelan Butchers
Winner: Máirín Uí Chomáin
Comments