The real deal

NEVEN MAGUIRE is one of Ireland’s best-loved chefs. I met him at the Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, where he was charming Mná na hÉireann with his cooking demonstrations.

Sat, 20 Oct, 2007 - 01:00

Darina Allen

Darina Allen is co-founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and more recently the Ballymaloe Organic Farm School in Shanagarry, East Cork.

He gave me a present of his latest book, Neven’s Real Food, which I have been enjoying very much. Neven is the proprietor and head chef of MacNean House and Restaurant, Blacklion, Co Cavan, awarded Georgina Campbell’s Restaurant of the Year Award, 2007.

Neven has been cooking in the kitchen of the family restaurant, McNeans’, since he was 12. Like myself, he’s one of nine children and he credits his passion for cooking to his mother, Vera. He dreamed of being a chef since those early days and was supported by his parents.