Delighted Neven takes ‘Best Restaurant’ title in Ulster

IT TAKES a brave chef to put beer sauce or fillet of kangaroo on the menu but in Neven Maguire’s case, it obviously takes a talented chef because Macnean’s House and Bistro in Blacklion has been voted Best Restaurant in Ulster.

Editor of the Food and Wine magazine, Gillian Bulger asked readers to nominate restaurants for the award and a judging panel consisting of chefs and proprietors narrowed the list down to three high-class eateries.

Neven, from the little Border town of Blacklion, was shortlisted with Michael Deane and Paul Rankin.

Michael Deane owns Deane’s Restaurant, where U2 and Lloyd Grossman have dined, and Paul Rankin owns Cayenne and is resident chef for the television programme, Gourmet Ireland.

Neven did not expect to beat these highlyrespected competitors. “That was some accolade! They’re brilliant restaurants. I honestly thought Rankin would have won it.”

After a seven-course meal in the Four Season’s Hotel, Dublin, Gillian Bulger presented Neven with the award and a bottle of champagne.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Neven. “It’s a great honour for me but it’s not a one-man team. I’d have up on nearly 24 part-time staff.”

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