7 Irish female chefs you need to know about

Katie Quinn

Head chef at Lilliput Stores (where she cooks along with Zia Burke, another one to watch), Dublin-based Katie Quinn cooks with amazing Irish produce at the cafe and at Lilliput Evenings, where seasonal menus are served alongside small plates and paired wines Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. She’s also started to run approachable, no-nonsense cooking courses ‘Home Cooking with Katie’ where she focuses on teaching practical, seasonal and sustainable dishes.

Katie McCann

Former Head Chef at 3FE’s Gertrude in Dublin, Katie McCann now runs her own business, Katie’s Kombucha. Katie left a career in the veterinary world to pursue her culinary career. She trained under the brilliant Hilary O’Hagan Brennan at Five Points before taking the helm at Gertrude.

Tara Gartlan

Tara Gartland has garnered a reputation for herself thanks to her impressive desserts. The DIT graduate worked in the pastry kitchen at five star Lough Erne resort and Glovers Alley before joining the two Michelin starred kitchen at The Greenhouse on Dawson Street.

Roisin Gillen

Another DIT graduate, Roisin Gillen won the Rising Star of the Year at the 2019 Food and Wine Awards, having been a key member of the kitchen team at Michelin starred Liath in Blackrock (formerly Heron & Grey) since 2015. Conscious of the lack of female representation in kitchens she’s previously run a sold out pop-up dinner, Forás along with Ailish O’Neill where they served a seven-course menu inspired by some of their favourite female chefs from around the world.

Christine Walsh

Ex sous chef of Michelin starred Loam, Galway, Tipperary chef Christine Walsh is went onto work at Allta before now working as Head Chef at Éan Galway. Her food philosophy revolves a lot around preservation, fermentation and sustainable practices making food that’s a bit different but delivers hugely on flavour.

Niamh Fox

Niamh has a fine food pedigree having spent time in the kitchens of Ard Bia and Kai in Galway, Rochelle Canteen in London and Cafe Paradiso in Cork as well as cooking all over Ireland at some of the best pop-up events and festivals.

Grainne Mullins

Grainne Mullins has previously been crowned Euro-Toques Ireland young chef of the year while working as the head pastry chef at Lignum restaurant in Loughrea, Co Galway. The competition runs throughout the year, so it’s no mean feat to take part while juggling a demanding kitchen role. Today, she is Head Chocolatier and Founder of Grá Chocolates.