Neven criticises celebrity chefs who belittle and humiliate their staff
CELEBRITY chef Neven Maguire has revealed he turned down the chance to expand his restaurant empire to London and Paris.
The award-winning chef, who employs 65 people in his MacNean House and Restaurant in Blacklion in Cavan, said he never wanted to have a big catering empire.
The father-of-two said nine times out of 10 he can be found in his kitchen in Cavan cookand ing up dishes with his staff of 14 chefs. He said: “I have had requests to open up a restaurant in Dublin, London and Paris.
“I love going over to London for a couple of days but I’m very content in the small village of Blacklion where I live. I was very polite. I always believed I could make it work in Blacklion. It’s a beautiful part of the country.
“With some chefs one restaurant is never enough. But I want to look after what I have to manage it the right way. I’m in the restaurant 90pc of the time and I’m very proud of that. People love to meet you.”
He believes famous TV chefs with fiery reputations can put aspiring chefs off a career in the restaurant business.
He said: “I worked with a couple of chefs in my career and one thing I learned was, ‘my God, I would never shout at people’.
“Why do we think we can shout at people and belittle them and humiliate them?
“I want to encourage people and work on their abilities and have them enjoying their work. Life is all about learning. We all make mistakes.
“I think kitchens have gotten an awful lot better. It’s kind of glamorised on TV with certain chefs, who I won’t mention.
“As a parent watching this with your son or daughter who is thinking of becoming a chef it’s ‘are you crazy?’
“It’s a fantastic career and industry. You can travel and hopefully open your own restaurant, deli, bar or coffee shop. It’s like an addiction or a buzz. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
He said there is a major shortage of chefs in Ireland at present, according to the Res- taurants’ Association (RAI) of Ireland.
“We’ve all worked hard to work on our staff ’s hours. We want them to have a good life/ work balance.
“The RAI reckon there is shortage of 5,000 chefs in Ireland.
“Look after your team and your staff and treat them like family. That’s what I learned from my parents.”
And the Irish chef, who has published a new book Neven Maguire’s Perfect Irish Christmas, urged people to enjoy their calorie-laden diner on Christmas.
He said: “Don’t feel guilty about enjoying the biggest meal of the year.
“I don’t know how many calories are in the Christmas dinner because I’m not a dietitian but just enjoy the day and don’t be worrying about it.
“I usually go to the gym on Stephen’s Day morning and then eat leftovers.
“There will be plenty of time over Christmas to get out and exercise.”
The chef will be dishing up a dinner for 24 in his own home in Cavan on Christmas Day.
He said: “It’s a day for family and food.
“Last year I cooked for 37 but this year it will be 24. I will do a lot of the preparation a couple of days ahead.
“I love to cook for my twins and my wife. I love doing that for my family.”
‘I’d go to the gym on Stephen’s Day and then eat the leftovers...’