What does it take to be a Good Food Ireland Ambassador? Is it dedication to good local food? The ability to cook like a dream? Perhaps an element of charm and wit. Throw in some suave looks and you might just be getting excited!. Ed Cooney was  a worthy winner of the Good Food Ireland Ambassador of  The Year award at the annual award ceremony in November 2012. He ticks all the above boxes and then some. Ed has shown a determined dedication to supporting local on his menu  and giving up his time to spread the Good Food Ireland message,  at many events during the past year.  He wowed audiences with his lively daily cookery demonstrations at last year’s National Ploughing Championships in Wexford, then took New York by storm – literally – in October, when the GFI team visited during Hurricane Sandy’s whirlwind scenes.  In his day job as Executive Chef at The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, Ed goes about the daily business of top level cooking using seasonal Irish produce. This time of year, it’s all about game, seasonal shellfish, root vegetables and a few unique Cooney twists of course. Couple this superb cuisine with the stylish ambience of the atmospheric Cellar Restaurant, located in the basement of the hotel and complete with arched cellar ceilings,  and you have occasion to celebrate. Reverence please – the Ambassador of Good Food Ireland is rattling the pots and pans. He’s not just a pretty face you know….