Statham’s by Pembroke Kilkenny has been recognised with two 2022 Irish Restaurant Awards for Best Casual Dining and Best Emerging Irish Cuisine. The Leinster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2022 took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel, County Meath on Tuesday 16th August 2022.
Executive Chef Ken Harker has assembled a talented team of experienced chefs and Statham’s is gaining a reputation in Ireland for its honest approach to dining. Ken and his team have created the Market Menu which is unique to Statham’s and Kilkenny as it focuses on using the best seasonal ingredients from local producers and preparing them while at their peak. Dishes change often, depending on the products delivered from growers on the day, allowing diners to enjoy a fresh new dining experience with each visit to Statham’s.
Delighted with the awards Head Chef Ken Harker said,
It’s great to have all our hard work recognised, the whole team is motivated to push harder and keep going. We want to showcase the high standard of products available in Ireland from Irish suppliers and handle them with a delicate touch to create the most flavourful dining experience at Statham’s. The Market Menu is something the kitchen is very proud of and we love having the chance to mix it up as the seasons change.
Paul Broderick, General Manager of Pembroke Kilkenny commented,
Bringing our customers the very best food experience has always been at the heart of what we do through top quality food, great customer service and genuine hospitality so the recognition for Best Casual Dining is much appreciated by all of our staff. Ken and the kitchen team create amazing modern Irish food with a commitment to local ingredients, values mirrored in the Best Emerging Irish Cuisine award. We look forward to welcoming many more happy diners to Statham’s and encourage you to try something new.
Statham’s will go on to compete in the highly anticipated Irish Restaurant Awards Final in September 2022. The final stage sees selected judges from the regional panels join together to form the National Academy. The National Academy will review each finalist, and will also review the National Category nominees and decide the overall winners. The Irish Restaurant Awards, known as the #FoodOscars, are the largest and most coveted industry accolade set up to recognise excellence in Irish Restaurants.
Statham’s ethos has always been to seek out quality producers from Kilkenny and Ireland, with whom they enjoy a trusted relationship and are proud to support. Focusing on local farmers and market veg, the Executive Chef Ken Harker has introduced some of his favourite producers to complement existing food heroes on Statham’s menu. The Ging Family Farm at Ballykeefe Distillery, located just 15 minutes from the hotel, and Riversfield Farm are regular favourites on the menu. These are now joined by Dizzy Goats Farm, Scúp Gelato, Kish Fish family-run seafood market and Gubbeen Smokehouse, with more suppliers coming on board.