"over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry"

I grew up on a dairy farm in West Limerick and now have over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. I started my career in Manila where my passion for food was enhanced working with like minded multi national brigade of chefs. Prior to returning to Ireland in 1999.

I worked in many 5 star hotels throughout the world

  • Raffles Hotel Singapore
  • The Dorchester Hotel London, UK
  • Hanbury Manor in Hardfordshire UK
  • The Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns, Australia
  • The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
  • The Intercontinental Hotel Manila, Philippines

and in a variety of 5* hotel kitchens and fine dining restaurants in Australia and Philippines.

My Expierience

I have spent 22 years in Limerick as an Executive Chef and opened the Hilton Hotel Limerick in 2007. I am a member of Eurotoques Ireland and a former Fáilte Ireland Food Champion promoting local food and tourism along the Wild Atlantic Way.

I am also a Founding Member and Chairman of the Limerick Food Group and The Pigtown Food Series in Limerick. I am a Trustee of The Limerick Milk Market and an active member of the steering group for Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy

I sit on the National Steering Group committee for The Commis Chef Apprenticeship Program with Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotel Federation. I have a real passion for supporting local producers and supported over 40 Local Suppliers in The Limerick Strand Hotel

Awards & Achievements

  • 2020

    • Georgina Cambell Irish Breakfast Awards  – Best Hotel Irish Breakfast 2020
    • AA rosette for excellence in dining
    • Generation Apprenticeship – Employer of the year

  • 2019

    • European winner of VET Excellence award for SME’s,
    • Knorr® Professional Ireland’s Great Roast 2019 – best hotel roast beef in Ireland
    • Irish Restaurant Awards- Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, Munster Regionals
    • Irish Restaurant Awards – Tom Flavin ‘Local Food Hero’, Munster Regionals

  • 2018

    • Irish Restaurant Awards – Best Hotel Restaurant Limerick
    • Irish Restaurant Awards – Best Chef Limerick
    • AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence 2017 – 2018
    • Irish Hotel Awards – Best Hotel Restaurant 2018

  • 2017

    • Irish Restaurant Awards – Best Hotel Restaurant Limerick
    • Gold Medal Awards –  Ireland’s Menu Provenance Award
    • AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence 2017 – 2018
    • Brides of Limerick – Urban Wedding Venue of the Year
    • National Hospitality Awards Winner –  • Best Business Hotel  • Best Conference Hotel

  • 2016

    • All Ireland Chowder Competition – Finalist
    • AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence
    • Shortlisted for ‘Best Young Chef’ in the ‘Yes Chef Awards’
    • Shortlisted for ‘Ireland’s City Hotel’ ‘Ireland’s Business Hotel’ and ‘Ireland’s Chef of the Year’ in the Gold Medal Awards

  • 2015

    • National Hospitality Awards – Best Business Hotel in Ireland
    • Gold Medal Awards – Finalist – Irelands City Hotel
    • Goodalls of Ireland – Finalist – Best Scone in Ireland
    • CIE Tours – Award of Excellence
    • Brides of Limerick – Overall Wedding Venue of the year

  • 2014

    • Georgina Campbell – BUSINESS HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2014
    • Georgina Campbell’s Ireland Irish Breakfast Awards 2014, Hotel Category
    • Tom Flavin Voted ‘Best Chef Limerick’ in the 2014 Irish Restaurant Awards
    • Gold Medal Awards Finalist 2014 (Hotel and Catering Review)

  • 2013

    • The River Bar & Restaurant is recommended by the Irish Food Guide 2013 (Bridgestone)
    • Tom Flavin Voted Best Chef Limerick in the 2013 Irish Restaurant Awards
    • National Hospitality Awards 2013 Best Value Hotel
    • National Hospitality Awards 2013 Best Business Hotel

  • 2012

    • Awarded AA 4* Hotel 2012
    • Best Business Hotel – National Hospitality Awards 2012
    • One Star AA Rosette for The River Restaurant
    • Bord Bia ‘Just Ask’ Restaurant of the Month August – as chosen by Georgina Campbell – acknowledges our use & support of local produce
    • Shortlisted for Best Hotel Restaurant at Restaurant Awards
    • Best Wedding Venue All Ireland 2012 at w’Oscars (Real Weddings.ie)
    • Great Taste Awards 2012 1 x 1 Gold Stars for Gooseberry and Shallot Relish

  • 2011

    • Shortlisted as Real Weddings – Munster Wedding Venue of The Year 2010
    • Great Taste Awards 2011 2 x 2 star awards for Caesar Salad Dressing and Homemade Chicken Liver Parfait
    • Blas Na hEireann 2011 – National Food Awards  – Silver Medal Winner for Caesar dressing
    • Blas na hEireann – Irish Food Awards- AIB – Business Diversification Award Winner 2011. This award acknowledges the fact that as a hotel we are ‘thinking outside the box’ in diversifying our business into other areas by creating the “Secret Ingredient Range”

  • 2010

    • Shortlisted as Real Weddings – Munster Wedding Venue of The Year 2010
    • Tom Flavins culinary team was awarded  “Best BBQ Ribs”  in the World BBQ competition  – 2008 held in Limerick City in May 2008 at the Riverfest.