Are you curious to know some of the most famous Irish chefs?
If you’re in an Irish pub, savoring Guinness and Irish stew, you may wonder about the talented chefs responsible for the delightful food and the stories they hold.
In Ireland, there are many talented chefs making a huge impact in the food industry. If you love classic Irish dishes or want to try something new and creative, you’ll discover tasty options to satisfy your taste and curiosity.
So, grab your fork and knife, and get ready to meet some of the most famous Irish chefs!
Things you'll find in this article
8 Most Famous Irish Chefs
1. Donal Skehan
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Donal Skehan is a famous Irish celebrity with many talents and passions. He was born in Howth, Dublin, Ireland, on June 3, 1986. He is a chef, food writer, a photographer, and a television presenter, as well as a former singer. He has appeared on many shows, such as Kitchen Hero, Junior MasterChef, Follow Donal, and Saturday Kitchen.
Donal Skehan has also published several cookbooks, such as Good Mood Food: Simple, Healthy Homecooking (2009), Kitchen Hero: Bringing Cooking Back Home (2011), Kitchen Hero: Great Food For Less Fresh (2012), Home Cooked (2013), Fresh (2015), Eat. Live. Go – Fresh Food Fast (2016), Everyday Cook (2021), and Home Cook (2023). In addition, he runs a popular blog and YouTube channel, where he shares his recipes, tips, and adventures.
Skehan is married to Swedish actress Sofie Larsson, and they have two children.
2. Kevin Dundon
Kevin Dundon is a famous Irish chef, television personality, and author. He is the owner of Dunbrody Country House Hotel and Restaurant in County Wexford, Ireland, where he also runs a culinary school.
Dundon has written several bestselling cookbooks, including the 2006 Full on Irish: Contemporary Creative Cooking. He has hosted his own TV shows across Ireland and America, such as Kevin Dundon’s Modern Irish Foods. He’s also been part of TV series like Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat.
He is known for his contemporary and creative approach to Irish cuisine, using fresh and local ingredients. He is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading young chefs and a champion of Irish food culture.
Kevin Dundon has cooked for many celebrities and dignitaries, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, former US President George W. Bush, and Irish rock singer Bono.
3. Neven Maguire
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Neven Maguire is the famous Irish chef and owner of one of the most acclaimed dining destinations in Ireland – MacNean House & Restaurant in Blacklion, County Cavan, Ireland, which used to be his parents’ bistro before his successful takeover.
Maguire is famous for making fancy Irish dishes with a twist. He has won many awards for his cooking and has written several cookbooks, including Neven Cooks (2002) and Neven’s Food from the Sun (2008). He has also featured on several TV shows such as Open House, Neven Cooks, and Neven Maguire: Home Chef.
He was born on December 1, 1974 in Blacklion and started cooking at the age of 12. He worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, such as Arzak in Spain and Léa Linster in Luxembourg.
In 2014, he opened his own cooking school, where he teaches a variety of courses for all levels of cooks.
4. Clare Smyth
Clare Smyth is a famous chef from Northern Ireland with an impressive culinary career. She’s in charge at Core by Clare Smyth in London known for modern British cuisine and three Michelin stars. She’s also the first and only female chef to lead a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK.
Clare Smyth grew up in a farm in County Antrim, where she developed a passion for food and nature. She left school at 16 to study catering in Portsmouth, and then worked at various restaurants in the UK and abroad. She went on to win the Chef of the Year award in 2013 and was named the World’s Best Female Chef in 2018 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
She catered for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018. She also made appearances on TV shows like MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen.
Indeed, Clare Smyth is one of the most highly respected chefs famous worldwide!
5. Darina Allen
Darina Allen is a famous Irish chef who leads the Slow Food movement in Ireland and a champion of local, seasonal and organic food. She is involved in setting up farmers’ markets and supporting artisan food producers in Ireland.
Darina Allen has written 19 cookbooks and presented 8 series of Simply Delicious on television. She has also won many awards and honors for her contribution to Irish cuisine and culinary education.
She was born on July 30, 1948 in Cullohill, Laois, Ireland, and now lives in her organic farm, Kinoith, in Shanagarry, where she runs the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School with her brother.
Darina Allen is often referred to as the “Julia Child of Ireland.”
6. Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen is a famous Irish chef known for her work on various cooking shows, such as Rachel’s Favourite Food, Rachel Allen: Bake!, and The Restaurant. She also has a weekly food column in the Sunday Independent, and has also contributed to many other publications, such as BBC Good Food, Image, and Delicious.
Allen has a range of products for Tipperary Crystal, including crystal stemware, porcelain dinner sets, and kitchen essentials.
She’s a teacher at Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, where she learned to cook. She’s written 14 cookbooks, sold over a million copies worldwide, and lives with her husband and three children in Shanagarry, near Ballymaloe.
7. Ross Lewis
Ross Lewis was born in Bishopstown, County Cork, Ireland, in 1965. He grew up in a farm and studied Dairy Science at University College Cork.
Lewis discovered his passion for cooking while working in the U.S. on a student visa. He then went to London to learn more about cooking. When he returned to Ireland, he opened Chapter One in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum. The restaurant is famous for its excellent food and creativity and has held a Michelin star since 2007.
Lewis is a notable name in the Irish food scene. He held a position as the Commissioner General of Eurotoques, a group of European chefs dedicated to promoting culinary heritage and excellence. He was also the head chef for a special dinner when Queen Elizabeth II visited Ireland in 2011.
8. Richard Corrigan
Hailing from County Meath, Ireland, Richard Corrigan is a Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur who owns several acclaimed restaurants in London and Dublin, such as Daffodil Mulligan Restaurant & Gibney’s Bar, Virginia Park Lodge, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill and Corrigan’s Mayfair. He has been influential in promoting Irish cuisine in the English capital.
Corrigan is also a judge on the BBC series Great British Menu and a frequent guest on MasterChef. His cooking style is focused on simplicity, fresh ingredients, and a rustic, country approach.
Richard Corrigan has won several awards and accolades, such as three Michelin stars and London Restaurant of the Year. He has published three books: The Richard Corrigan Cookbook: From the Waters to the Wild (1999), The Clatter of Forks and Spoons: Honest, Happy Food (2008), and Cookery School: Where Anyone Can Learn to Cook (2011).
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.