Neven Maguire facts for kids

Neven Maguire is a famous Irish celebrity chef and TV star from Blacklion, County Cavan. He is the main chef and owner of the MacNean House and Restaurant.

Neven has written many cookbooks. He often appears on TV and radio in Ireland. He also writes a weekly cooking column for the Irish Farmers Journal newspaper.

Neven's Early Life and Career

Neven Maguire was born to Joe and Vera Maguire. He started cooking when he was just twelve years old. This was in the kitchen of his family's restaurant, MacNean's, in Blacklion, County Cavan.

His father, Joe, bought the restaurant in 1969. Neven took over as the main chef and owner in 2003. He studied at Enniskillen College of Food.

After college, Neven worked in several top restaurants in Europe. These restaurants had Michelin stars, which are awards for excellent food. He started his international career in Berlin, Germany.

He also worked at:

• Roscoff Restaurant in Belfast, Northern Ireland (1 Michelin star)
• The Grand Hotel Restaurant in Berlin, Germany (2 Michelin stars)
• Lea Linster Restaurant in Luxembourg (2 Michelin stars)
• Arzak Restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain (3 Michelin stars)

Neven and his wife, Amelda, have twins. He is a Roman Catholic.

Neven on TV and Radio

Neven Maguire often shares his cooking tips on The Marian Finucane Show on RTÉ Radio 1. He also writes a weekly cooking column and recipe for the Irish Farmers Journal. He has even shared recipes with the Mayo Advertiser.

In 2009, he cooked live at the National Ploughing Championships in County Kildare. This event was sponsored by the Irish Farmers Journal.

Neven has appeared on many TV shows, including:

• Tubridy Tonight
• The Late Late Show
• Nationwide
• Podge and Rodge
• The Restaurant

He was the main chef on the Open House TV series from 1998 to 2004. He has also been in other cooking shows like:

• 10 of the Best
• Neven Cooks (a 6-part series shown in South Africa, Australia, and on Food Network)
• Cook with Love (a documentary about his time in the World Cooking Competition in Lyon in 2002)
• Neven's Food from the Sun

Currently, Neven hosts a cooking show called Neven Maguire: Home Chef on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) network, Create TV.

Neven's Cookbooks

Neven has written several popular cookbooks:

• Food from the Sun (ISBN: 9780007285136) published by HarperCollins
• Neven's Real Food for Families (ISBN: 9780717142613)
• Home Chef (ISBN: 9780007300839)
• Neven Maguire's Cookery Collection (ISBN: 9781842232569)
• Cooking for Family and Friends (ISBN: 9781842232156)
• Neven Cooks (ISBN: 9781842231296)

He also launched a special cookbook for people with Parkinson's disease. This was for the Parkinson's Association of Ireland.

Awards and Achievements

Neven Maguire has won many awards for his cooking and restaurant:

• Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Fine Dining (2008)
• Food & Wine's 'Ulster Best Restaurant' Award (2009, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002)
• Food & Wine's 'Restaurant of the Year' Award (2008)
• Food & Wine's 'Ulster Best Chef' Award (2009, 2008, 2007, 2004)
• Georgina Campbell's Restaurant of the Year Award (2007)
• Special Award for Culinary Achievements and Tourism Promotion from Cavan County Council (2007)
• Georgina Campbell's Natural Food Award (2006)
• Jameson Chef of the Year (2004)
• Represented Ireland in the Bocuse d'Or World Cuisine Competition in Lyon, France (2001)
• Gold Medal Award Winner (2001)
• Bushmills Chef of the Year (1999 and 2000)
• Eurotoque Young Chef of the Year (1998)
• Best Student in the UK and Ireland (1997)