Conrad Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Conrad Gallagher is an award-winning Irish
chef
from Letterkenny
, County Donegal
, Ireland. He was educated at Scoil Colmcille
and St. Eunan's College
.
and St Eunan's College in the town. In his autobiography he told of the abuse he received at both institutions. He discussed how the Christian Brothers
would feel him up and attempt to interfere with him. 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.
On Saint Patrick's Day
1996 Gallagher cooked for Bill Clinton
and his guests in the White House
. He was also involved with his brother in the Metropolitan bar and restaurant in Letterkenny.
restaurant in Dublin. 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 writer and has published many books including:
in Dublin, after he was issued with an arrest warrant in October 2002, having been accused of stealing three paintings, worth €11,000 from Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel. He was later acquitted in court for this. During the trial, the court heard that although the chef employed up to 250 people, he had no audited accounts.
According to the Irish Independent
he was running three restaurants in July 2011: "Salon Des Saveurs" and "The Dining Room With Conrad Gallagher" in Dublin and "Conrad's Kitchen" in Sligo" in Sligo
. "Salon Des Saveurs" and "Conrad's Kitchen" are run by Boutique Restaurants Concepts Ltd and Super Potato Limited. The Revenue Commissioners are trying to wind up these two companies.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
from Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland. He was educated at Scoil Colmcille
Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny
Scoil Colmcille is the largest all-male national school in County Donegal, Ireland located in Letterkenny. It is located on the Convent Road on the town, across from the Loreto Convent. The current principal is Pauric Cannon.-History:...
and St. Eunan's College
St. Eunan's College
Saint Eunan's College is an all-male voluntary secondary school. Located in Glencar, Letterkenny , County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, the building is a three-storey castle with four round towers at each corner of the building. The school is named after the Abbot of Iona St...
.
Early life
Gallagher was raised in Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny. He was educated at Scoil ColmcilleScoil Colmcille, Letterkenny
Scoil Colmcille is the largest all-male national school in County Donegal, Ireland located in Letterkenny. It is located on the Convent Road on the town, across from the Loreto Convent. The current principal is Pauric Cannon.-History:...
and St Eunan's College in the town. In his autobiography he told of the abuse he received at both institutions. He discussed how the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
would feel him up and attempt to interfere with him. 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
Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel in New York City is a landmark 20-story luxury hotel with a height of and length of that occupies the west side of Grand Army Plaza, from which it derives its name, and extends along Central Park South in Manhattan. Fifth Avenue extends along the east side of Grand Army Plaza...
. The Waldorf Astoria's Peacock Alley later recruited him where he spent two years as Sous Chef under Laurent Manrique
Laurent Manrique
Laurent Manrique was the Corporate Executive Chef of Aqua, an upscale seafood restaurant in San Francisco, which earned 2 Michelin stars in 2006, the first time Michelin came to the San Francisco Bay Area, and again in 2007 and 2008. He also oversees Cafe de la Presse, located on the corner of...
. While living in New York he went on to work in Restaurant Daniel and Park Avenue Café.
On Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
1996 Gallagher cooked for Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and his guests in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. He was also involved with his brother in the Metropolitan bar and restaurant in Letterkenny.
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 Michelin star for his Peacock AlleyPeacock Alley (restaurant)
Peacock Alley is a former restaurant, that since 1999 was housed in the Fitzwilliam Hotel at St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland...
restaurant in Dublin. 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 writer and has published many books including:
- New Irish Cooking
- One Pot Wonders
- Take Six Ingredients
Court Case
Conrad was found not guilty of all charges at the Circuit Criminal CourtFour Courts
The Four Courts in Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's main courts building. The Four Courts are the location of the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Dublin Circuit Court. The building until 2010 also formerly was the location for the Central Criminal Court.-Gandon's Building:Work based on...
in Dublin, after he was issued with an arrest warrant in October 2002, having been accused of stealing three paintings, worth €11,000 from Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel. He was later acquitted in court for this. During the trial, the court heard that although the chef employed up to 250 people, he had no audited accounts.
South Africa
Whilst living in South Africa, Conrad Gallagher consulted for Sun International Group where he was appointed Group Executive Chef in 2004. Conrad also operated Geisha Wok and Noodle Bar in Capetown where he occasionally hosted live cooking classes. Geisha Wok and Noodle Bar stopped trading in August 2009. Conrad Gallagher was declared bankrupt in South Africa in August 2009 following an application by two companies seeking payment of debts. Two properties and his home’s contents were auctioned off to part-pay debts of about €200,000 to a bank and supplier.Dublin
After planning to return to Ireland during Summer 2009 to open a new Irish restaurant, Conrad Gallagher and his wife, former Miss Port Elizabeth finalist Candice Coetzee and their two sons have moved back to Dublin. Conrad's newest restaurant is called "Salon Des Saveurs". His initial return as director of Boutique Restaurants Concepts Ltd turned sour as it is illegal to be a company director in Ireland while considered bankrupt, in or outside Ireland.According to the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
he was running three restaurants in July 2011: "Salon Des Saveurs" and "The Dining Room With Conrad Gallagher" in Dublin and "Conrad's Kitchen" in Sligo" in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
. "Salon Des Saveurs" and "Conrad's Kitchen" are run by Boutique Restaurants Concepts Ltd and Super Potato Limited. The Revenue Commissioners are trying to wind up these two companies.
External links
- http://www.michelin.co.uk/travel/star-history.htm
- Official Site
- Conrad arrested
- Extradition
- Conrad's wife to free him