2023 Award Winners CHEF OF THE YEAR 2023

Angel Pirev - The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Co Limerick

Established in Adare as a restaurant by the original owner Dan Mullane in 1985, The Mustard Seed later moved just ten minutes drive away to this special and hospitable Victorian country residence and is now in the very safe hands of former manager, John Edward Joyce. Having started as a restaurant, food and hospitality are at the heart of The Mustard Seed and the dining experience here is invariably memorable. The hospitality, in John Edward’s care, is exceptional. The surroundings - in beautiful dining rooms, where fresh garden flowers on each table are carefully selected to complement the décor – are wonderful. The excellent wine list is sure to please and includes an unusually good choice of half bottles. Seasonal produce from the region’s organic farms and artisan producers has always been to the fore, alongside whatever is in season in their own kitchen gardens, which were a major feature of the property from the outset. And then there is longtime head chef, Angel Pirev, a quietly ambitious miracle worker in the kitchen who leaves no stone unturned to ensure a wonderful experience for guests and to keep the offering fresh. John Edward tells a nice story about Angel, who likes to make regular visits to Dublin to check out new plates. Going up together one time they got onto all kinds of topics that there never seemed to be time to cover, and so these trips soon became an enjoyable way of brain storming ideas for the restaurant. The house tradition of excellent modern Irish cooking suits his style and, while not showy and with flavour always the priority, Angel’s consistent precision and attention to detail is a pleasure and clearly appreciated by guests, many of whom return often for special occasions. Each dish has its own thoughtfully considered garnish and the way that garden produce is showcased feels more modern with each passing year. A talent to treasure.