2022 Award Winners ‘HOSPITALITY HERO’ AWARD 2022

Richard Corrigan - Virginia Park Lodge Co Cavan & The Park Café Dublin

 For a small country we’re blessed with more than our fair share of excellent chefs in Ireland, but when it comes to spreading the word on the good things that are going on here – and indeed creating many of those good things, including wonderful hospitality destinations, himself - few could compete with Richard Corrigan’s ambassadorial bent. Whether through media appearances and high-profile competitions like Great British Menu (three times winner) or his London restaurants Corrigans Mayfair, Bentley’s and Daffodil Mulligan, this big-hearted ball of energy and enterprise is never shy of flying the flag for Ireland and the best of Irish produce. And, since taking on the lovely Virginia Park Lodge in 2014, that has included (Brexit permitting) supplying them from his VPL farm - and of course produce from the Cavan estate is also a major seasonal player on the menus at The Park Café in Ballsbridge, which opened to a much-deserved big hug of welcoming reviews this autumn. What a star. If he didn’t exist we’d have to invent him.