From farm-to-fork dinners to unforgettable local produce, food Ireland has a major milestone to celebrate this year. Good Food Ireland, one of the most influential names in the Irish food guide and hospitality space, is marking its 20th anniversary with a 2026 programme that shines a spotlight on the people, places and flavours shaping the Ireland food scene.
Founded in 2006 by Margaret Jeffares, Good Food Ireland has spent two decades connecting farmers, fishers, food producers, chefs and hospitality businesses under a trusted all-island standard. In practical terms, that has helped strengthen Ireland’s reputation for authentic Irish cuisine while supporting local communities and creating new commercial opportunities across tourism, dining and food production.
Good Food Ireland at 20: A Landmark Moment for Food Ireland
The anniversary will be officially celebrated at the Good Food Ireland Conference 2026 on Monday, 20 April, at the InterContinental Dublin. This year’s theme, “20 Years of Taste: From Local Roots to Global Connections”, reflects how far Irish food has come, from proudly local traditions to a globally recognised culinary identity.
The conference is expected to bring together industry leaders, producers, chefs and innovators to discuss the future of:
- food tourism in Ireland
- sustainability and sourcing
- Irish hospitality standards
- Ireland’s evolving place in global food culture
Registration begins at 9am, with the conference running until 4.30pm. A Good Food Ireland Showcase Dinner follows at 5pm, offering a collaborative dining experience built around premium Irish ingredients and the people who grow, harvest and produce them. It’s a fitting tribute to the values that continue to define the best food in Ireland: provenance, seasonality and a strong sense of place.
Jeffares said the original vision was to connect people with genuine Irish food and drink experiences while creating sustainable opportunities for producers. Twenty years on, that mission still feels central to any meaningful Ireland dining guide or Ireland restaurant guide focused on quality and authenticity.
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Why This Matters for the Ireland Food Scene
Good Food Ireland’s impact reaches well beyond awards and events. The organisation has helped shape how visitors and locals discover food Ireland, whether they are looking for traditional Irish food, modern Irish food, hidden gem restaurants Ireland or standout food tourism experiences.
One of the biggest developments now underway is the expansion of the Good Food Ireland platform, described as Ireland’s only dedicated website for booking food and drink experiences. That means easier access to curated activities such as:
- farm visits
- producer tastings
- immersive culinary journeys
- local food and drink experiences across the island
For anyone searching where to eat Ireland, places to eat Ireland, or even planning a wider Ireland food blog itinerary through Dublin food, Cork food, Galway food or Belfast food, this kind of platform adds depth beyond a standard list of top restaurants Ireland. It encourages travellers to understand the story behind the plate.
The 2026 Awards Programme
The celebration will continue throughout the year and build toward the Good Food Ireland Awards on Monday, 16 November, also at the InterContinental Dublin. Sponsored by FBD Insurance, with support from Tourism Ireland, AIB, BIM and Allfresh, the awards honour excellence across food, drink and hospitality.
They recognise the businesses and individuals who champion:
- local Irish ingredients
- sustainable practices
- authentic hospitality
- high-quality visitor experiences
That matters in a national dining landscape where consumers increasingly care not just about restaurant reviews Ireland or best restaurants Dublin, but also about traceability, community impact and a stronger connection between food and place.
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What Comes Next for Irish Food and Hospitality?
As Good Food Ireland enters its next chapter, the message is clear: the future of food Ireland depends on preserving local roots while building global connections. That means continued support for producers, stronger visibility for regional food experiences, and more opportunities for visitors to discover everything from seafood restaurants Ireland and best pubs Ireland to farmers markets Ireland and food festivals Ireland.
For the wider industry, this 20-year milestone is more than a celebration. It is a reminder that Ireland’s food identity has become one of its strongest tourism assets, powered by the people behind the produce as much as the chefs in the kitchen.
In a crowded world of restaurant lists and travel trends, Good Food Ireland has helped define what makes food Ireland special: authenticity, sustainability and genuine hospitality. As 2026 unfolds, that legacy looks set to keep inspiring the next generation of Irish food experiences.
Article/Image Courtesy: Hospitality Ireland
