Zuni restaurant Kilkenny welcomes new, award winning head chef

Award-winning chef Michael Thomas previously of Waterford Castle Hotel has been appointed new Head Chef in Restaurant, Bar and Boutique Hotel, Zuni.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and a passion for top class food, Michael is taking the reins in Zuni at a time when the city's culinary community is gaining well deserved national recognition with Kilkenny’s recent award for Foodie Destination of the year.

Michael, who is originally from Loughboy in the city, has returned to his native place to continue his successful career. Having trained in Waterford Institute of Technology, he has gone on to work in many prestigious kitchens throughout Ireland over his 22 years as a chef, including Lacken House under Eugene McSweeney, Waterford Castle Hotel for four years as the resort Head Chef, Hayfield Manor as Head Chef and the Radisson in Sligo as Senior Sous Chef.

Michael won "Best Chef of Ireland 2017" along with the "Best Chef Regional Winner of Munster" at the YesChef Awards 2017 and has also received two AA Rosette Awards. Michaels passion for food started at a young age and came from his Mother and Grandparents. He describes working as a chef as “a hobby rather than a job.”

 Michael reinforces Zuni’s excellent reputation for using local produce and supporting local producers in Kilkenny and some of the produces featured on their menu are vegetables from Eamon Wallace, rapeseed oil from Second Nature oils in Urlingford, Duck from Mary and Tony in Kilkenny Free Range and fish from Mag Kirwan in Goatsbridge Trout Farm, to name just a few. Kilkenny has a longstanding reputation for producing amazing food, Michael says “Home is where good food is, and that’s Kilkenny.”

 Zuni has had a busy year with the addition of 14 new bedrooms. Paul Byrne, owner of Zuni, sees the appointment of Michael as another important development in their reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the South East.

 “We are delighted to welcome Michael to Zuni. I am excited for the future of great food in Zuni. Michael has an abundance of culinary experience and flair which will further enhance the high-quality food we produce in our kitchen,” said Paul.