‘Some eat to live; we live to eat’

What did your mother make you? Mam cooked mostly comfort food; the best shepherd’s pie, and sausage, egg and chips. What is the meal you will always remember? The paella we had in the mountains above Alicante. My father’s friend Ramiro did the cooking. I was only six years old, but it is still a most vivid memory. What was your defining food experience? One of the first times I brought my wife, Meshelle, to Ireland, the new potatoes were ready. We dug them from the garden, boiled them and ate them with butter and salt. It was at that moment the value of in-season fresh food really became obvious to me. What is your hangover cure? A shot of Irish whiskey. No, really, a good rasher sandwich does the trick. What do you drink? A beer after work. I love the great wines of the world. And I never miss a Guinness at Mulligan’s if I’m home. If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life what would they be? Bread, cheese, prosciutto. How important is food to you? Some people eat to live; we live to eat. What’s your favourite restaurant in Ireland? I have lots of favourites; I love the work Derry Clarke and Ross Lewis do. There’s a great pub in Donegal called Iggy’s where if you’re lucky you can eat great fresh seafood . . . my list is huge. So many of my friends who visit Ireland rave about the food scene. What’s your sweet treat? Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut from Ireland. Worst meal ever? My dad cooked tripe once for an hour. It needs to be cooked for about 72 hours. Disgusting. We left it on the table like the three bears and went out to eat. Are you careful about what you eat? I’m more careful about when I eat. Late-night eating is the worst for me and, I never eat processed food. When you decide to eat healthily, what’s your regime? I compete in martial arts and I cut weight close to tournaments. The main thing I avoid is alcohol, I drink more water and absolutely no eating after 6pm. What’s your perfect family meal? The perfect family meal is about the company, no cell phones allowed. No TV. Sit, talk, laugh. Washington-based chef Cathal Armstrong will be appearing as a part of Homecoming at Dublin’s Taste festival, running June 16 to June 19 at the Iveagh Gardens. Tickets from €15; see tasteofdublin.ie