The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Huge success for chef Chad at Munster prizes
THERE was celebration at The Brehon hotel in recent days as the hotel’s Head Chef Chad Byrne scooped the ‘Kerry’s best chef ’ award at the Irish Restaurant Awards Munster finals.
More than 500 people attended the awards ceremony in Cork, and Chad was understandably thrilled at the win.
“I am delighted to win this award,” he said.
“Being the chef of a hotel does not just mean delivering excellent restaurant food, it encompasses the whole hotel experience from a great breakfast to a brilliant meal in the bar – it’s about attention to detail and doing the small things really well.
But for all his understandable delight at his win, he was quick to acknowledge the work being carried out by the team around him and their contribution to his victory.
“I’m delighted for the team as winning this award proves it’s all about the detail and working together in a fun and friendly environment,” he said. “If you can deliver on this while maintaining standards and focus, work doesn’t seem like work. It is very much a team effort here in The Brehon and I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication, you are only as good as your team.
“I’ve some great guys working with me and they’re all different nationalities, so I’ll always ask them for a dish from home and we’ll get ideas from that.
“We’ll take elements from that style of cuisine and incorporate them as best we can without ruining or complicating the dish, simple is good in my opinion.
“It’s important to value your team’s ideas and their heritage and bring them with you on the journey.”
Aside from his important role in the kitchen at The Brehon, Chad also spearheads culinary innovation for the wider Gleneagle Group.
Among his current ventures is the development of a new menu for The Brehon Bar.
The new Brehon Bar menu was launched yesterday, April 10.