Eunice Power wins big at Irish Restaurant Awards 2026

Waterford culinary legend Eunice Power was hailed as the All-Ireland Local Food Hero at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards. 

The CEO of the Waterford Festival of Food was honoured for her staggering contribution to Irish food culture, hospitality and tourism. 

The award ceremony brought together over 1,000 hospitality professionals to celebrate their industry. 

Eunice won the Munster-title for Local Food Hero before taking the All-Ireland award. 

The win comes after the recent Waterford Festival of Food which brought a record-breaking 80,000 visitors to the Déise. The festival has ran for nearly 20 years and has established Waterford as go-to destination for great food, culture and hospitality. 

The award also recognises Eunice's work as a broadcaster, food writer and business owner. She recently released her cookbook 'My Irish Kitchen Table' to great acclaim and still runs her fish and chip restaurant AndChips in Dungarvan. 

Chairperson of the Board of Waterford Festival of Food Anita Geoghegan said the award reflects the enormous impact Eunice has had across the wider Irish food landscape as well as within Waterford itself. She said: "Eunice has been a driving force not only behind the success of Waterford Festival of Food, but behind the growing recognition of Waterford and Ireland as places of real food culture, creativity and hospitality. 

"She has an incredible ability to inspire and bring people together and to champion producers and create and organise experiences that are genuine and welcoming. This award is hugely deserved and everyone involved with the festival is enormously proud to see her recognised on a national stage.”