Celebrity Declan Horgan
From Dublin to the USA and Hell’s Kitchen
Chef Declan Horgan lives far from the home where he was raised in Dublin. When he wasn’t playing rugby or running the city streets from south to north, he was in the kitchen with his mother, grandmother and aunts. The chatter and aromas pulled on him and as a young whipper snipper, he was soon cooking alongside the women. The influence these women in the family would have on his life comes to light when we explore his journey.
Chef Declan grew up with the mouth-watering aromas of homemade moussaka, lasagna, lamb, herbs and spices. That experience ignited a fire in him to create flavours that the pallet would remember, just as he remembered the Horgan family meals.
As a teenager he and his friends would hang out at The Hide Out Pub and a few other well-known local spots. Declan also had a serious side and his dedication to schoolwork and passion for cooking landed him at the TU Dublin School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology. It was there Declan thrived learning about food technology and honing his formidable culinary skills. And so, his journey to Celebrity Chef began.
Chef Declan has choked up 27-years in some of the best kitchens on both sides of the Atlantic. He landed an opportunity at the Michelin-starred Peacock Alley where he trained under Chef Conrad Gallagher. He then headed for the starspangled lights of the United States. He was the first Irish Chef to open at The Wharf near Washington, D.C. He quickly became a local celebrity, serving up his big flavours accompanied by his equally big personality. Encouraged by friends, he sent an audition video to Gordon Ramsay’s cooking competition show, Hell’s Kitchen. He was asked to join Season-19 of the internationally popular series and became a fans’ favourite around the world. He has appeared on Food Network, Super Chef Grudgematch, NBC’s The Today Show, Fox Five’s Good Day DC program, and more.
Back to the day-to-day of a celebrity chef, where life soon changed for Declan. With work, TV appearances and his food and beverage company, Horgan’s Group, LLC, his health soon got away from him. Awoken to the warning signs, he decided it was time to act. Chef Declan sometimes called Chef “Big D”, due to his 6’ 4” frame, began a lifestyle change, not only for health, but for personal reasons. He soon learned the price of his restaurant and business lifestyle when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. How does a chef who makes some of the best food in the world adjust his diet? Well, with determination, food preparation, planning and yes, a few cheat days.
What you see is what you get with Chef Declan, a commanding presence in the kitchen, a love of good craic, and a mentor of young chefs. Wherever he is, Chef Declan Horgan is always all Irish, and all ours.
Chef Declan lives in Northern Virginia, with his partner Karen, bless her patience, and their French bulldog, Lulu Savage.