[LISTEN] Chef Neven Maguire Becomes DJ Bangerz & Mash On The iRadio Breakfast Show

Copyright Paul Sherwood © 2015
Neven Maguire of MacNean house, Blacklion, Co.Cavan. July 2015.

iRadio in the Morning with Aidan and Oonagh chatted to chef Neven Maguire who is one of Ireland’s best loved chefs. The restaurateur and media personality is well known for his award-winning MacNean House & Restaurant. He has published over 12 Cookbooks including the his latest book - "Mid-week Meals"

Neven chatted to the breakfast show about how he has rediscovered one of his other passions, being a DJ, in lock-down. Could DJ Bangerz & Mash be popping up on iRadio to do a mix for us? Watch this space!

[LISTEN BACK]  AIDAN AND OONAGH'S CHAT WITH NEVEN MAGUIRE

About Chef Neven Maguire

Neven began cooking at 12 years of age alongside his mother, Vera, in the kitchen of the MacNean House and Restaurant (then known as the MacNean Bistro), which was originally run by his parents in Blacklion. In 1992, he studied catering in Fermanagh College, Enniskillen, and won the prestigious Student of the Year Award. Even then his vision was clear – to share his passion for good food with diners who appreciated quality, imagination and the best of Irish produce.

While in his 20s, Neven was named Eurotoques ‘Young Chef of the Year 1999’, won numerous ‘Chef of the Year Awards’ and represented Ireland in the ‘Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition’ in Lyon, France. Later that same year, he was presented with a special Gold Medal Award by Charles, Prince of Wales, in London’s House of Commons for high achievement in his career. He has been winning awards ever since and was most recently inducted into prestigious Food & Wine Magazine Awards 2015 ‘Hall of Fame’ for his years of commitment and dedication to the Irish food industry.

Having been trained and then tutored in professional cooking, Neven went on to work at some of the world’s top restaurants including Arzac, San Sebastian, Spain (3 Michelin Stars) and Restaurant Léa Linster, Luxembourg (2 Michelin Stars). He took over as Head Chef/Owner of MacNean House & Restaurant in 2001, in the small rural village of Blacklion, creating one of the country’s most popular dining destinations.

Ethos

At the core of Neven’s philosophy is a commitment to using only the finest local seasonal ingredients and he works closely with Bord Bia to promote Quality Assured Irish produce.

Neven is credited with raising awareness around Ireland’s high quality food producers, both nationally and internationally, and was presented with Ireland’s ‘Producer Champion Award’ at the Blas na hEireann national food awards.

Neven is also committed to helping young chefs to develop their careers in food and he regularly hosts trainees for work experience at his restaurant. Neven travels with his chefs to experience the best of European food and has placed his chefs for stages in other leading restaurants in Ireland, the UK and further afield.

TV and Recipe Books

Neven began his TV career at 21, demonstrating the best of home cooking with a Maguire twist for the viewers of RTÉ 1’s hugely popular flagship afternoon show, ‘Open House’. He was the resident chef for seven years before going on to host his own TV series with RTÉ 1. ‘Home Chef’ has gained RTE’s largest ever audience for a cookery programme and it is also broadcast in the US (on PBS) and the UK (UKTV Food).

Neven is now working on his 8th series for the national broadcaster. The latest series, which focuses on healthy eating, is set to broadcast from January 2016 and will feature recipes from Neven’s new book ‘The Nation’s Favourite Healthy Food’. This is Neven’s twelfth book and is already another best-seller for the chef.

An Ambassador for Ireland’s ‘First 1,000 Days’ campaign, Neven is a huge advocate for educating mothers and mothers-to–be on the importance of good nutrition and healthy eating – for themselves, their families and, particularly, for their babies. Neven believes that getting the right nutrition for babies and toddlers can ensure a lifetime of good health.

As a doting dad himself to twins Connor and Lucia, he launched his first children’s recipe book ‘Neven Maguire’s Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook’ in early 2015 which immediately flew to number one on the bestseller list.

To purchase a signed copy of Neven’s books, just click here.

Neven writes a weekly recipe column in the Irish Farmers Journal and is a regular contributor to RTÉ Radio 1’s ‘Marian Finucane Show’ and RTÉ Lyric FM’s ‘Marty in the Morning’.

Follow Neven on Facebook or Twitter.

Awards

Neven and MacNean House & Restaurant have received many prestigious awards. The highlights include:

Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for ‘Best Wine Experience’ 2015
Food and Wine Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards 2015 ‘Hall of Fame Award’

The Nation’s Favourite Food – Fast! received Avonmore Cookbook of the Year Award at Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2014

Irish Food Producers’ Champion 2014 at Blas na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards

Irish Restaurant Awards

‘Best Chef’ 2014
‘Best Celebrity Chef’ 2010, 2009

‘Best Ulster Restaurant’ 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
‘Best Ulster Chef’ 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010
‘Best Ulster Customer Service’ 2010
‘Best Restaurant’ 2009

Food & Wine Awards

‘Ulster Best Restaurant’ Award 2012, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002
‘Ulster Best Chef’ Award 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004
‘Restaurant of the Year’ Award 2008

Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards 2013 Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Europe: Ireland’s only venue to be included.

Knighthood, Commanderie des fins Goustiers du Duche d’Alencon 2012

Georgina Campbell Award for Outstanding contribution to the Hospitality Industry 2012

Shortlisted for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010

Georgina Campbell’s Restaurant of the Year Award 2007

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

Book Awards

‘Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook’ has also just won the prestigious ‘Best Family Cookbook’ Award at the Boots Maternity & Infant Awards 2015

Blog Awards

Nominated in the Blog Awards Ireland 2015 for his blog.