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Restaurants Association of Ireland

Founded in 1970, the Restaurants Association of Ireland is the professional body of the Irish Restaurant Industry. The initial goal of the Association was to form a strong lobby that would represent the industry at Government level on current issues.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is officially recognized by government and state agencies as representing the industry, and serves as the voice for restaurants at local, national and international levels. The Association is frequently called on to participate as the industry perspective in a wide range of bodies considering future policy and/or legislation.

The Association represents in excess of 600 member businesses with establishments representing fine dining, casual dining, ethnic, family, coffee shops, hotels, and pub restaurants. Through this, RAI represents the 64,000 people employed by the Irish Restaurant Industry and the €2 billion it contributes annually to the Irish economy.

Adrian Cummins is Chief Executive Officer of the association since 2009, and Brian Fallon is the current President of the RAI.

Activities within the Association

The RAI promotes the use of Irish Artisan Producers and buying locally.

The Association assists members in achieving higher standards of excellence. Members have tailor-made restaurant training programmes, chef workshops, environmental training programmes and food safety training available to them through RAI.

RAI keeps members informed through a bi-monthly news magazine and an alert system for breaking news in the industry.

The Association assists members on economic, marketing and promotion, and legal and technical matters, including copyright, safety legislation, fire precautions, liability insurance, labour relations, licensing, and taxation, suppliers, and information technology.

The Association assists members with recruiting through their website.

RAI provides opportunities for members of the Irish Restaurant Industry to network through several events throughout the year as well as their Annual General Meeting Conference and Exhibition.

The Association organizes and promotes the Irish Restaurant Awards.

Activities in Government

The Association promotes improvements in the law affecting the Irish Restaurant Industry locally, nationally and on the European level RAI provides representation on issues affecting restaurants including but not limited to, local authority charges and rates, NERA inspections, FOG license regime, IMRO, PPI charges, revenue, and taxation.

RAI represents the restaurant industry on the Catering/Joint Labour Committees.

RAI represents the Irish Restaurant Industry in Europe through HOTREC.

RAI lobbies to influence European legislation affecting the hospitality industry in Ireland.

Where To Eat

Where To Eat is the official restaurant guide in Ireland, run by the Restaurants Association of Ireland. It is a database for all the member restaurants of the RAI, and restaurants can upload special offers and events they have on. It is also a reviews site, so people are encouraged to review their favourite restaurants. The blog section on the website features guest blog posts from food bloggers in Ireland, and some Irish celebrities.

The Irish Restaurant Awards

The Irish Restaurant Awards are organised by The Restaurants Association of Ireland and are sponsored by Santa Rita/Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine. The awards are the largest and most coveted awards in the Irish Restaurant Industry. The awards recognize achievement and excellence in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry throughout the Island of Ireland in 23 categories. The awards celebrate all aspects of the Industry from Chefs and Restaurants to Food Producers, Local Food Heroes and Cookery Schools. Nominations for the awards are made by readers of the Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine and members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

The awards process runs from the beginning of February 2012 until the 14th of May 2012. It is a detailed and thorough process whereby nominated Restaurants face rigorous scrutiny from the Consumer, Regional Judges, a Mystery Guest Visitor and finally the National Awards Academy. County winners are announced at a number of Regional Events in the run up to the Main Event on the 14th May in the Burlington Hotel Dublin. Guests at the main event are treated to a five course menu prepared by the winning Chefs in each of the five regions from the year before.

For a full list of winners, see: http://www.irishrestaurantawards.com/winners-finalists.html

Restaurants Association of Ireland Benevolent Fund

The Restaurants Association of Ireland Benevolent Fund was founded in March 1996, set up to provide support and financial aid to people in the hospitality and catering industry and their families, when the need arises. The Restaurants Associations of Ireland of Ireland Benevolent Fund is a registered trade charity(11485).

The Benevolent Fund is distributed by twelve dedicated figures, all of whom have worked within the hospitality industry in Ireland: Adrian Cummins- CEO, Restaurants Associations of Ireland since 2009 John Howard- Former chef, Le Coq Hardi, Dublin Aidan McManus- Chef, King Sitric Fish Restaurant, Dublin Julie Cox- Proprietor/Manager, Beaufield Mews, Dublin Bart Glover- Proprietor/Manager, Kay's Kitchen, Dublin Michelle Robson- Proprietor/ Manager, Ely Bar & Brasserie, Dublin Brian Sinclair- Proprietor/ Manager, The Old Schoolhouse, Dublin Niamh Boylan- Food and wine consultant, contributor Food & Wine Magazine Cathal Reynolds- Proprietor and former chef, The Winehouse, Galway Paul Cadden- Proprietor/ Manager, Saba, Dublin, former president Restaurants Association of Ireland Gerry Galvin- Consultant and former chef, Galway Tom Mythen- Catering consultant, former president Restaurants Association of Ireland

The main aims of the officers of the Fund are: To raise of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Benevolent Fund in the Republic of Ireland, among the hospitality industry and the general public. To raise essential funds for the charity by organising fundraising activities.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland benevolent fund is partnered with the Rise Foundation and 1Life, two charities that offer help and support to those suffering with addiction and mental health illnesses.