Euro-Toques Ireland names 2026 award winners & celebrates 40 years

Euro-Toques Ireland celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual Gala dinner
Jack Rice representing Comet Restaurant was crowned Young Chef of the Year 2026
Aengus Moloney of Aniar in Galway won Rising Pastry Chef of the Year 2026
The final brief centred on Dexter beef, Dunany Flour and Salt Rock Farm produce
The Gala dinner was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin

Euro-Toques Ireland has named Jack Rice of Comet Restaurant as Young Chef of the Year 2026 and Aengus Moloney of Aniar in Galway as Rising Pastry Chef of the Year. The awards were presented on Sunday, 11 October 2026, during the annual Euro-Toques Gala dinner at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.

Jack Rice, a Limerick native and former WorldSkills Ireland cookery winner, secured the title after a rigorous final. The six finalists designed a main course and a starter or dessert highlighting a local Irish larder including Dexter beef sirloin from Brave Herders, organic flours from Dunany Flour and dairy from Salt Rock Farm.

Aengus Moloney won the Rising Pastry Chef award ahead of four other finalists. His prize package includes an educational trip to visit PCB Creation in Strasbourg, France, a culinary stage with one of the category judges, a Kenwood Chef Titanium XL and a bottle of Two Shores Superior Irish Rum.

Euro-Toques Ireland was celebrating the winners at its annual Gala dinner at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin. Presented by La Rousse Foods, the competitions recognise and nurture Ireland’s emerging culinary talent. The evening carries particular significance as Euro-Toques Ireland marks its 40th anniversary.

Jack Rice representing Comet Restaurant was crowned Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2026 following a demanding final in which six finalists were challenged to design two original dishes. The brief centred on a centre-cut Dexter beef sirloin on the bone from Brave Herders in County Cork, alongside organic rye, spelt and wholemeal flours from Dunany Flour in County Louth, and butter and yoghurt from Salt Rock Farm. The judging panel brought together leading chefs from Ireland and abroad including Conor Halpenny, Gareth Mullins, Rafael Cagali, Maca de Castro, Keelan Higgs, Lewis Barker and Domini Kemp.

Euro-Toques Ireland also revealed Aengus Moloney of Aniar in Galway as the winner of the Rising Pastry Chef of the Year 2026, presented by La Rousse Foods. The five finalists competing this year were Aengus Moloney, Aoife Comerford, Alena Pazitna, Francesca Kearns and Masha Campbell. Founded in Ireland in 1986, Euro-Toques Ireland has spent four decades championing the country’s culinary heritage, supporting artisan producers and nurturing the chefs who will shape its future.