The Potted Hen in Belfast’s fashionable Cathedral Quarter has been voted Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland at the National Restaurant Awards in London.
The news was announced at a glittering awards ceremony in the beautiful Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden last night (October 10).
Receiving the award was Potted Hen head chef Marty Murphy on behalf of the owners Dermot and Catherine Regan.
It is a magnificent achievement for the ‘Hen’ which opened its doors in St Anne’s Square less than a year ago and has become one of the most talked about and popular restaurants in the city.
The winners were chosen by the National Restaurant Awards academy, made up of more than 300 chefs, restaurateurs and critics. The judging panel is divided across the 12 regions of the UK, ensuring that the list is authoritative and representative of a national, unbiased vote.
A delighted Dermot Regan praised staff for all of their hard work and thanked the restaurant’s loyal customers for making it such a success.
“It is fantastic to be given such a prestigious award in our first year in business. I am particularly excited that the Potted Hen has been recognised by fellow members of the restaurant business.
“It is the best present imaginable as we look forward to celebrating our first birthday next month. We will continue with what we believe is a winning formula of providing top quality dishes at reasonable prices.”
On the same night, the Potted Hen was chosen as one of the top 100 restaurants in the United Kingdom – one of only two Northern Ireland establishments to make the list.
It was a double celebration for Dermot and Catherine Regan, as they learned this week that their sister restaurant, Oregano in Newtownabbey has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for the third year in a row.
For more information about the Potted Hen, including menus and booking details, visit www.thepottedhen.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Details of the awards and the full list of the 100 top restaurants in the UK will be posted on www.nationalrestaurantawards.co.uk
Categories awarded on the night were:
- The National Restaurant of the Year 2011
- Regional Award Winners- Best in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Restaurateurs’ Choice sponsored by Nespresso
- Highest New Entry sponsored by Llanllyr Water
- Chefs’ Chef of the Year sponsored by Nestlé CHEF
- The Front of House Award
- Gastro Pub of the Year sponsored by Brakes
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Martell Cognac
- Wine List of the Year
- One to Watch Award sponsored by Inedit
- Personality of the Year Award sponsored by Mövenpick
