In celebration of St Patrick's Day we've highlighted five Irish culinary stars to spotlight, from Michelin star restaurant owners to pastry chefs and more. In no particular order...
Clare Smith
The first and only female chef from UK & Ireland to hold 3 Michelin stars in the UK, Clare Smith can rightly be lauded as one of the finest chefs in the country. Raised on a farm in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Clare has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, from Alain Ducasse's Le Louis XV in Monaco and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London. Clare was awarded an MBE for her services to hospitality in 2013 and has since been recognised as the world's best female chef (in 2018). Clare's first solo restaurant, Core, opened in 2017, and currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
Visit the website here. Follow Clare on Instagram.
Hannan Meats
Founded by Peter Hannan in Moira, Northern Ireland, Hannan Meats are something of a local and national treasure. Having grow up on farms, Peter knows a thing or two about livestock. Working with hundreds of Northern Irish and Irish farmers, Hannan supplies beef, lamb and poultry across the UK and Ireland. Probably most famous for their extra-aged beef, which over a period of up to 45 days, gently ages in a bespoke Himalayan salt chamber. With numerous awards under their belts, you can find Hannan's meat products everywhere, from Michelin-rated fine dining restaurants to local pubs and high-end retailers.
Visit the website here.
JP McMahon
Galway chef, restauranteur, author, painter and holder of a doctorate, JP McMahon is one of Ireland's most prominent chefs. JP is culinary director, founder and owner of EatGalway, a collection of 3 restaurants in Galway (Michelin-starred Aniar, Cava Bodega & Tartare Café). Aniar is the culinary star in the group. Meaning 'wild' in Gaelic, Aniar takes a Noma-esque approach to Irish cuisine, showcasing local, seasonal and wild ingredients from the west coast of Ireland. In addition to restaurants, JP runs a regular cooking school and organises the yearly food festival 'Food on the Edge', bringing together other celebrated local, national and international chefs, culinary historians and experts to debate the most pressing issues in food.
Visit the website here. Follow JP McMahon on Instagram.
Noble
Noble is a welcoming, intimate neighbourhood restaurant located in Holywood, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland. Run and owned by chef Pearson Morris and sommelier/restaurant manager Saul McConnell. A small seasonal menu showcases some of the best ingredients Northern Ireland has to offer, highlighting many family-run, small scale artisan products. The team retained their Michelin Bib Gourmand in this year's guide, and have recently launched a new fast-casual brand, Melter, focusing on cheese toasties, sandwiches and coffee.
Visit the website here.
Aoife Noonan
Dublin-based Aoife is a pastry chef with years of experience working in some of the best restaurants in Ireland, most recently as executive pastry chef at 2-star Michelin Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud. A regular across Irish TV, media and the food festival circuit, Aoife has recently left the restaurant kitchen and launched her own venture: an online cookery school and bespoke patisserie business.