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06 Sept 2025

Laois chef recognised at Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards

Chef Richard Picard Edwards was recognised at the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry

Laois chef recognised at Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards

Chef Richard Picard Edwards was recognised at the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry.

A Laois-based chef has been recognised at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards taking home bronze in the Ireland's Chef of the Year Five Star category. 
 
Ballyfin Demesne, Chef Richard Picard Edwards was recognised at the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry.
 

Richard is a Michelin-starred chef who has worked in some of the most exclusive properties in the UK, most recently at the Mandarin Oriental Bittescombe Lodge and Deer Park in Somerset.

Prior to this, Richard was Executive Head Chef at Lartington Hall, Barnard Castle, Durham, and before this at Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter in The Cotswolds where he received his first Michelin star in 2014, as well as 3 AA rosettes. He also worked as Head Chef at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, another Michelin-starred hotel restaurant. Richard began his career at the Royal Garden Hotel, in Kensington, London.

He was appointed as the Laois hotel’s Executive Chef in March 2023. 

Judged by industry experts, the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards recognise and reward excellence in hospitality and catering operations across the island of Ireland. The winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway.

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