Conrad Gallagher
Conrad Gallagher | |
|---|---|
| Education | Catering college |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Irish cuisine |
Current restaurant(s) | |
| Website | http://www.conradgallagherfood.com/home.jsp |
Conrad Gallagher (born March 12, 1971) is an award-winning Irish chef from Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. He was educated at Scoil Colmcille and St. Eunan's College.
Early life
Gallagher was raised in Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny. During his time in St. Eunan's College, He joined a school punk band called "Kakistocracy". He was inspired by his grandmother's and mother's home cooking which led to him leaving St Eunan's College and training as a chef at Killybegs Catering College.
After training in Ireland from the age of twelve, he went on to win 4 gold medals at Hotel Olympia and Chef Ireland. He trained with some of Ireland's top chefs before moving to New York to take on his dream of becoming a chef. In New York he joined the Plaza Hotel. The Waldorf Astoria's Peacock Alley later recruited him where he spent two years as Sous Chef under Laurent Manrique. While living in New York he went on to work in Restaurant Daniel and Park Avenue Café.
Awards and Work
As a chef he has been awarded with many top awards such as Irish chef of the year in 1998 and 1999-2001. Conrad became the youngest ever chef to receive a coveted Michelin star for his Peacock Alley restaurant in Dublin. He won his second star at age 27, two years later. He’s also won Restaurant of the Year, Best Service and Wine List and a number of other achievements including Conde Naste Traveler's Top 15 in the World. He is also a skilled writer and has published many books including:
- New Irish Cooking
- One Pot Wonders
- Take Six Ingredients [1]
Arrest
On Tuesday October 15, 2002, Conrad was issued with an arrest warrant. [2] He had been accused with the stealing of three paintings, worth €11000 from Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel. [3] Con was found not guilty of all charges at the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin.