Young Irish Chef Wins Ramsay Scholarship Heat

One of the semi-final heats of the Gordon Ramsay Scholarship was held at IT Tallaght today. Against competition from fledgling chefs from England and Scotland Trevor Cunningham a young chef from the Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan was awarded the ticket to the finals – with his eyes on the first prize – a “stage” at The French Laundry in the USA, currently rated the best restaurant in the world. Kudos to Nuremore proprietor Julie Gilhooley and head chef Raymond McArdle who presides over a 90% Irish kitchen – mind you the stove is a French Bonnet!

Ramsay also told me he’s opening a restaurant in Las Vegas – lured by pots of loot and the opportunity to work with an unlimited budget – as he said “Las Vegas is becoming the Monaco of the USA”. Irish chef Kevin Dundon of Dunbrody House, Arthurstown Co Wexford has also opened in Las Vegas – new high class gaff is called “Nine Fine Irishmen”. Kevin’s also on the verge of publishing a couple of cookbooks, one in conjunction with his TV series.