Paul Flynn - Ireland

Paul Flynn is regarded as one of the foremost Irish Chefs, known for cooking exciting and modern Irish cuisine, with a passion for using seasonal produce and for taking inspiration from what may be growing in his garden, travel or what he is reading.

Paul and his wife Máire opened the Tannery Restaurant in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, which since its opening in 1997, has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s leading restaurants. Some years later in 2005, Paul and Máire expanded and opened a boutique style accommodation named the Tannery Townhouse, a few years after this, they expanded again opening the Tannery Cookery School, which offers an exciting range of courses to suit all tastes and abilities from evening demos to a five day hands on course.

Paul and the Tannery Enterprise has been awarded many accolades, including the Georgina Campbell, Ireland Chef of the Year 2008, The Bridgestone Guide Icon Award, which The Tannery has won every year since opening, Food & Wine Magazine for the Best Restaurant in Munster, Food and Wine Magazine Munster Chef of the Year, Hospitality Ireland Magazine, Best Restaurant in Ireland. Restaurant Association of Ireland Best Chef Munster, Restaurant Association of Ireland Best Restaurant Munster and most recently in November 2011, Restaurant Association Ireland Cookery School of the Year.

Paul will be competing against other Celtic Cook Off Chefs, which include: Shaun Hill from Wales,Tony Singh from Scotland, Butch Buttery from The Isle of Man, Stephane Delourme from Brittany and Jack Stein from Cornwall.

Roy Brett will be among the judges for the 2012 Celtic Cook Off and will be joined by Tim Anderson, winner of MasterChef 2011 and who is Guest of Honour for the Celtic Cook Off this year. Tim will also be taking part in the events involving chefs and food producers arranged as part of the whole Celtic Cook Off experience.