Dylan McGrath
| Dylan McGrath | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dublin |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Catering college |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Employer | Self-employed |
| Known for | Michelin star |
Dylan McGrath (born 1977) is an award-winning Irish celebrity head chef. He was the owner of the now defunct Michelin starred restaurant Mint in Dublin which closed as a result of the economic downturn. In August 2010 he opened 'Rustic Stone Restaurant by Dylan McGrath' on South Great George's Street in Dublin's city centre. In 2011 Dylan was announced by RTÉ One as the judge on the Irish version of the hit show Masterchef. The show aired in September and has been a massive hit. He also appeared in the 2008 RTÉ One television series Guerrilla Gourmet and in the fly on the wall series The Pressure Cooker. Image food critic Domini Kemp considers him a "creative genius",[1] whilst Derry Clarke has called him a "brilliant young chef".[2]
Style
McGrath's cooking style is centred around visually attractive dishes cooked correctly. But for Guerilla Gourmet he served his food in darkness so that his guests could "hone their taste buds".[3][4]
Early life
McGrath was born in Dublin and lived in Carlow until age six.[5] He was brought up in west Belfast before attending catering college.[3] He later travelled to the United Kingdom in search of a career where he worked under notable chefs including John Burton Race and Tom Aikens[5] before returning to Ireland.
Career
Guerrilla Gourmet
McGrath appeared on the television series, Guerrilla Gourmet, which was broadcast on RTÉ One in early 2008. The premise of the programme was that professional chefs set up temporary "guerrilla restaurants" at an unusual location of their own choosing.[6] McGrath featured on the sixth and final episode of the series.[3] He chose a dark room in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin as his temporary restaurant venue, serving a menu of lemongrass and pomegranate dessert. One week after filming an episode for this show, McGrath received his first ever Michelin star.[4]
In 2010 McGrath opened Rustic Stone Restaurant.[7]
Controversies
McGrath has been involved in numerous controversies, mainly with his fellow chefs. Whilst promoting Guerrilla Gourmet, he appeared on the television chat show Tubridy Tonight and sparked off a row with his rival chef Kevin Dundon over his mistreatment of staff in his Pressure Cooker show, an argument which was described by the Irish Independent as being serious enough to "[achieve] the rare feat of having that show discussed at water coolers days later".[4][8] Relieved of the pressure to obtain a Michelin star, he has softend a bit.[9]
McGrath also has a difficult relationship with Richard Corrigan, who suggested that he should work in theatre, days after he had called Corrigan's food "simple and nice". Corrigan went on to call McGrath "a muppet."[10]
References
- ↑ "About". RTÉ. Accessed 25 April 2009.
- ↑ "Michelin star not enough to save McGrath's Mint". Evening Herald. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Programme 6". RTÉ. Accessed 25 April 2009.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Dining in the dark". Irish Independent. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Doors closed at McGrath's star eaterie". Evening Herald. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- ↑ "Guerrilla Gourmet hits the ring". The Munster Express. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- ↑ Rustic Stone
- ↑ Review of The Pressure Cooker Accessed 23 May 2012.
- ↑ Return of the enfant terrible of Irish cuisine Accessed 23 May 2012.
- ↑ I'm deadly serious, McGrath is a muppet, says Corrigan Accessed 23 May 2012.
External links
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