La Boheme Listed Among "100 Best Restaurants"

Wednesday, 1st February 2012

French restaurant, La Boheme, has been listed in the Bridgestone "100 Best Restaurants" Guide for 2012. It joins an elite collection of Irish restaurants at the top of their game.

"We’re delighted to be listed among the 100 best restaurants in Ireland," said Eric Théze, chef and proprietor of La Boheme. "The Bridgestone has long been recognised as the essential guide to leading restaurants in Ireland. To be included is a great testimony to our wonderful staff and loyal customers, without whom we wouldn’t be here."

For 21 years now, John and Sally McKenna’s annual Bridgestone 100 Best Guides have sought out the most creative, dynamic and original restaurateurs in the 32 counties of Ireland. The 21st edition of the Bridgestone 100 Best Restaurants is yet another celebration of the Irish genius for great cooking, great service and great conviviality.

"Best in Ireland" means exactly was it says on the plaque, and if you see an up to date plaque outside an establishment, you know that the people involved are providing the very best food and service, whether they are a fishmonger selling at a farmers' market, a pub with interesting food, a real bakery, or a hip, happening restaurant.

You get the sense speaking with Eric that La Boheme is more than a restaurant; it’s a labour of love. For him, cooking is life. Everything else is just a side show. He loves everything about food, the ingredients, the preparation, the dining, and camaraderie. He’s also quintessentially French (there’s no mistaking the accent).

"I wanted to marry my love of food with my love of France, because in many ways, when I think of one, I think of the other. La Boheme to me is a taste of France in the heart of Waterford, where the moment you walk through the door, you are transported to the continent."

To book a table, or find out more, you can call La Boheme on 051 875 645. You can also visit their website on http://www.labohemerestaurant.ie or find them on Facebook. They’re located at 2 George’s Street (below Waterford Chamber) in the city centre.

WIT Sports Scholarship Awards

Waterford students honoured in WIT Sports Scholarship Awards

WIT Gold Scholarship recipients 2011-2012. Photo: Gavin Downey

Waterford student, Noel Connors was awarded a Gold Level Sports Scholarship at the WIT Awards Ceremony last week. Waterford students also won Silver Level Sports Scholarships with Patrick Flynn (Athletics), Wayne Hutchinson (Hurling), Adam Heaslip and Kevin Burns (both Soccer) getting awards. WIT/Munster Council GAA Scholarship recipients included Ray O'Brien (Administration) and Stephen O'Keeffe (Hurling).

The Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Sports Scholarship Scheme honoured 54 students altogether. This year marked the 11th year of the Awards and, together with the 11 students remaining on the Scheme since last year there are now 65 students in total, representing some of the best young sporting talent in the country.

WIT Registrar, Dr Derek O' Byrne, commented: "The level of achievement enjoyed by all our recipients - from national and international champions in a variety of individual sports to the some of the very best young GAA, soccer, basketball and rugby players in the country - is a credit to our students and their families".

"The major theme of the Scheme is not only to improve WIT students’ sporting ability but to ensure that they all achieve their academic goals whilst studying here. Sport plays a hugely valuable role in the Institute but it is very important for students to achieve the right balance between sporting performance and academic achievements," he said.

WIT Chairman, Dr Donie Ormonde, was also present to support the event and Guest of Honour on the night was former Munster and Irish rugby legend Alan Quinlan who delivered an inspiring key note speech to the award recipients and their friends and family at the ceremony.

WIT Silver Scholarship recipients 2011-2012. Photo: Gavin Downey