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06 Sept 2025

Portlaoise born Master Chef recognised for 60 years of service

Portlaoise native Master Chef Eugene McSweeney was recently honoured and given a standing ovation at the All Ireland Yes Chef Culinary Awards ceremony in Dundalk.

Eugene McSweeney Master Chef

Eugene McSweeney Master Chef

Reporter:

Hannah Cahill

24 May 2024 10:09 AM

Email:

hannah.cahill@leinsterexpress.ie

Portlaoise native Master Chef Eugene McSweeney was recently honoured and given a standing ovation at the All Ireland Yes Chef Culinary Awards ceremony in Dundalk.

This was in recognition of his 60 years service to the Culinary Industry in Ireland. With an audience of over 450 professionals at the Gala Banquet, McSweeney (77) was surprised with kind words and an uproar of applause. 
"I was onstage presenting awards when suddenly the spotlight came on me, and I saw the MC smiling at me" said McSweeney.
This award is just one of many in the Master Chef's illustrious career. 
McSweeney won Ireland's first ever Olympic Cooking Gold Medal in 1980, and has been conferred with the Chevalier de Chaine de Rotisseurs award in 1981. 
McSweeney receives Chevalier de Chaine de Rotisseurs award in 1981. 
The chef attributes his culinary passions to a childhood of cooking with his grandparents.
"All of our food back then was straight from our garden," he said. "I have such fond memories of making jam with my grandmother, and cooking potatoes straight from a patch in the garden."
McSweeney believes that the culinary world has changed drastically since he first became a chef. 
"The quality of food and cooking techniques have changed completely. Back in 1969 I saw my first avocado, and I had no idea what it was!" he said.
"Now every child knows what an avocado is. Even the technology today- we now have a thermo mix, when we once had to make gels and mousses all by hand."
Having worked abroad as a chef for almost ten years, Eugene was headhunted to be the first executive chef at the Bartley Court Hotel in Ballsbridge in the 1970's.
McSweeney with RTÉ's Gay Byrne
Eugene  was also owner and Head Chef of the much praised Lacken House in Kilkenny for 18 years, which won numerous awards and was visited on several occasions by President’s Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.  
Though having over 60 years of service under his belt, Eugene McSweeney has no plans to retire yet.
"I'm not hanging up my apron anytime soon!" he said.

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