for the love of FOOD

This issue we catch up with one of Ireland’s best-loved chefs Neven Maguire owner of the award-winning MacNean House & Restaurant.

WHEN DID YOU START COOKING AND HOW HAS YOUR COOKING STYLE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

I cannot remember when I wasn’t cooking. My mother always let me help out and make a mess. But certainly from my early teens I got properly interested and that resulted in me being the first boy in St Claire’s school, Manorhamilton to do Home Economics. I knew back then I wanted to work in the restaurant.

HOW LONG IS MACNEAN HOUSE & RESTAURANT OPEN AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL CONTINUES TO BE THE KEY TO ITS SUCCESS?

We are open 30 years. My mother and father opened up in the same place where we are now and it was also our family home. I took it over in 2001. We have done a lot of building over the years. A new kitchen went in last year and it is fantastic, and we now have 19 rooms for people to stay overnight. We are always changing but the core values stay the same. We want to give our customers a great experience with an emphasis on good Irish produce in season.