| | Marian Finucane invites you to an evening with Neven Maguire, Award winning Chef. | | | | From a very young age, one of Neven’s favourite pastimes was to shadow his mother in the kitchen, watching her cook; his pastime soon became his passion, as he began experimenting with ingredients in the home kitchen at the tender age of 10, a passion that only intensified as Neven went through his teenage years. No one was surprised in 1992 when Neven enrolled in Fermanagh College, Enniskillen to study catering, where he received the prestigious Student of the Year Award. Even then, his vision was clear – to share his love and passion for food with as many people as possible.
Neven trained in some of the highest profile restaurants in the world including Roscoff, Belfast (Michelin Star winner), Grand Hotel Berlin (Michelin Star winner), The Lea Linster Luxembourg (where he cooked for Lady Diana and Tony Blair) and Arzak , San Sebastian.
In 2001, Neven took over the family business, and turned a local restaurant into a national phenomenon. Located in the rural village of Blacklion in Co. Cavan, MacNean House and Restaurant has become one of the most talked about and frequented restaurants in the country. |
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| | | | | The Restaurant has certainly bucked the industry trend, experiencing a steady 30% business growth year on year. 2009 was its best year yet, and figures for 2010 are already significantly ahead of forecast. Such is the draw of the Mac Nean House and Restaurant experience, that table reservations are booked six months in advance.
The sensation of MacNean House and Restaurant is only one element of Neven’s success story however; the credibility and equity of the ‘Neven Maguire’ brand is perhaps one of the most fascinating brand stories of the decade. While not overtly commercial in his approach, Neven has become a household name, and has succeeded in appealing as much to a 30 year old as to a 60 year old. His recently acclaimed TV show and launch of his seventh cookbook is testament to his appeal; his nationwide cookery demonstrations are now attended by up to 500 loyal followers; although there may be hundreds in the room, Neven’s unique approach and charisma succeeds in making each individual feel they have his undivided attention – a true master at work!
At the core of Neven’s philosophy is a dedication to using only the finest, local ingredients; as part of this commitment, Neven works closely with Bord Bia to promote Quality Assured Irish produce.
He is also on the advisory board for Safefood, the cross border Food Safety Promotion Board.
Awards
Neven and MacNean House & Restaurant have received many prestigious awards, including:
Food & Wine’s ‘Ulster Best Restaurant’ Award 2009, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ Award 2008 and ‘Ulster Best Chef’ Award 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004
Irish Restaurant Awards 2009, Neven awarded ‘Best Chef’ and ‘Celebrity Chef’ with ‘Best Restaurant’ and ‘Best Customer Service’ awards presented to MacNean House & Restaurant
Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Fine Dining (2008)
Georgina Campbell’s Restaurant of the Year Award 2007
Special Award for Culinary Achievements and Tourism Promotion from Cavan County Council 2007
Georgina Campbell’s Natural Food Award 2006
Jameson Chef of the Year 2004
Represented Ireland in the Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition in Lyon, France 2001
Gold Medal Award Winner 2001
(Presented by Prince Charles in the House of Commons for high achievement in his career, while still in his 20’s)
Bushmills Chef of the Year 1999 and 2000
Eurotoque Young Chef of the Year 1999
Television & Radio Appearances
Neven contributes a regular feature to RTE Radio 1’s Marian Finucane show and writes a weekly column and recipe feature in the Irish Farmers Journal. As well as his current RTE series ‘Home Chef’, he has also made TV appearances on The Late Late Show, Tubridy Tonight, Nationwide, Podge & Rodge, The Restaurant and the UK’s Good Food Channel’s flagship show ‘Market Kitchen’.
Neven was Resident Chef on RTE’s ‘Open House’ TV series from 1998 to 2004. He has also featured in a number of other high profile TV programmes including - ‘10 of the Best’ - an Irish programme featuring 10 of Ireland’s top Chefs; ‘Neven Cooks’ - a 6-part series broadcast in South Africa, Australia and on the BBC’s Food Network and ‘Cooking With Love’ – a documentary of Neven’s participation in the Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition in Lyon, France.
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