| Born | 12 March 1971 Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
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| Cooking style | Irish cuisine |
| Education | Catering college |
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Current restaurant(s)
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| Official website | |
| http://www.conradgallagherfood.com/home.jsp | |
Conrad Gallagher (born 12 March 1971) is an award-winning Irish chef from Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. He was educated at Scoil Colmcille and St. Eunan's College.
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Gallagher was raised in Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny. He was educated at Scoil Colmcille and St Eunan's College in the town. In his autobiography he told of the abuse he received at both institutions. He discussed how the Christian Brothers would feel him up and attempt to interfere with him.[1] During his time in St. Eunan's College, He joined a school punk band called "Kakistocracy". He was inspired by his grandmother's and mother's home cooking which led to him leaving St Eunan's College and training as a chef at Killybegs Catering College.
After training in Ireland from the age of twelve, he went on to win 4 gold medals at Hotel Olympia and Chef Ireland. He trained with some of Ireland's top chefs before moving to New York to take on his dream of becoming a chef. In New York he joined the Plaza Hotel. The Waldorf Astoria's Peacock Alley later recruited him where he spent two years as Sous Chef under Laurent Manrique. While living in New York he went on to work in Restaurant Daniel and Park Avenue Café.
On Saint Patrick's Day 1996 Gallagher cooked for Bill Clinton and his guests in the White House. He was also involved with his brother in the Metropolitan bar and restaurant in Letterkenny.[2]
As a chef he has been awarded with many top awards such as Irish chef of the year in 1998 and 1999–2001. Conrad became the youngest ever chef to receive a Michelin star for his Peacock Alley restaurant in Dublin. He’s also won Restaurant of the Year, Best Service and Wine List and a number of other achievements including Conde Naste Traveler's Top 15 in the World. He is also a writer and has published many books including:
Conrad was found not guilty of all charges at the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin, after he was issued with an arrest warrant in October 2002,[3] having been accused of stealing three paintings, worth €11,000 from Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel.[4] He was later acquitted in court for this.[5] During the trial, the court heard that although the chef employed up to 250 people, he had no audited accounts.[6]
Whilst living in South Africa, Conrad Gallagher consulted for Sun International Group where he was appointed Group Executive Chef in 2004.[7] Conrad also operated Geisha Wok and Noodle Bar in Capetown[8] where he occasionally hosted live cooking classes.[9] Geisha Wok and Noodle Bar stopped trading in August 2009. Conrad Gallagher was declared bankrupt in South Africa in August 2009 following an application by two companies seeking payment of debts. Two properties and his home’s contents were auctioned off to part-pay debts of about €200,000 to a bank and supplier.[10]
After planning to return to Ireland during Summer 2009[11] to open a new Irish restaurant, Conrad Gallagher and his wife, former Miss Port Elizabeth finalist Candice Coetzee and their two sons have moved back to Dublin. Conrad's newest restaurant is called "Salon Des Saveurs".[12] His initial return as director of Boutique Restaurants Concepts Ltd turned sour as it is illegal to be a company director in Ireland while considered bankrupt, in or outside Ireland.[13]
According to the Irish Independent he was running three restaurants in July 2011: "Salon Des Saveurs" and "The Dining Room With Conrad Gallagher" in Dublin and "Conrad's Kitchen" in Sligo" in Sligo. "Salon Des Saveurs" and "Conrad's Kitchen" are run by Boutique Restaurants Concepts Ltd and Super Potato Limited. The Revenue Commissioners are trying to wind up these two companies.[14]