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Georgina Campbell with Gastropub award winner Richard Corrigan for Deerpark Inn in Cavan. Paul Sherwood Photographer

Hotel breakfast standards slipping due to 'counter-productive' cut-backs, Georgina Campbell warns

While ‘cost-cutting is often necessary’, it still ‘needs to be done with care’ according to the food critic.

IRISH BREAKFAST STANDARDS are slipping – that’s according to Georgina Campbell of the food and hospitality guide of the same name.

She says it’s a result of cost-cutting in the hospitality industry, with guests left shortchanged in turn.

Business owners from the hospitality and tourism sectors have been protesting outside Leinster House this afternoon to highlight the “unsustainable cost” of their trade.

In the latest Georgina Campbell awards for the sector, she urged that any cutbacks be “done with care” so as to avoid a fall in standards.

“Slashing the quality of breakfast in an otherwise enjoyable experience is counter-productive, and leaves guests disappointed on departure,” Campbell said.

“Cost-cutting is understandable and often necessary in the current business environment but it needs to be done with care,” Campbell added.

Ireland’s longest running food and hospitality awards, the Georgina Campbell selections are the result of independent all-year assessments by a team of anonymous experts.

“Although service has improved a lot this year and there is generally a warmer feel to hospitality, shortcuts are being taken in some establishments,” she said.

However, the latest recipients of the Irish Breakfast Award are “setting a gold-star standard” for their takes on the first meal of the day and showing how a “reputation for serving an outstanding breakfast can be good for business”.

“It’s a challenging time in this industry, with restaurant closures and a Budget that was tough on the hospitality sector, but it’s an incredibly exciting one when you consider, not only the talent of our winners, but also their willingness to give back.”

Winners ranged from Mark Nolan of Dromoland Castle in Co Clare as the Hospitality Hero and Richard Corrigan for Gastropub award for his Deerpark Inn in Cavan.

Advising on how businesses could address cost challenges, Campbell said the awards panel of judges would like to see it in “addressed in more imaginative ways than cutting quality” of the offering.

This could range from more choice of sizes for dishes on menus to reducing waste overall, the food author said.

“That the shorter weeks and shorter opening hours that resulted from the pandemic are still continuing in many places – often together with higher prices – is not helping matters and must be discouraging for people thinking about having a break or a meal out,” she said.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Dec 26th 2013, 9:11 AM

    Didn’t see the reaction to Gerry Adam’s proposal to close the bar late at night. Says it all about many TDs really.

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    Mute I love my County
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    Dec 26th 2013, 9:03 AM

    This list is glorified piss!!!

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    Mute James O'Sullivan
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    Dec 26th 2013, 12:04 PM

    The two minutes silence was a very nice gesture!

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    Mute Lorraine Murphy
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    Dec 27th 2013, 12:52 PM

    It was amazing, some of the parents from the Happy New Ear campaign were in the gallery and the impact of the silence will always stay with us. If there was ever a moment that strengthened our resolve, this was it.

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Dec 26th 2013, 2:12 PM

    No amazeyballs?

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    Dec 26th 2013, 8:58 AM

    Poor old Pat being hassled from commenting on the Journal ! Merry Christmas Pat!

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    Mute John
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    Dec 26th 2013, 2:08 PM

    The Rabbitt pieces says a lot about Ireland it could not happen in England the heavies would be around it seconds to sort out the demonstrators and the demonstrators knew just how far to go and Rabbitt was never felt threatened. We’ll done all round

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