WINNER.. Stephen Holland won Restaurant Chef of the Year at a recent awards ceremony in Dublin
TWENTY-EIGHT year old at the Lough Erne Golf Resort, Stephen Holland, has been named ‘Restaurant Chef of the Year’ a the prestigious Janus Awards.
Stephen, who lives in Monea and is a student at the South West College, is executive sous chef at the resort, and picked up the award at a ceremony last month.
Success should come as no surprise for Stephen, who cooked for the G8 leaders this time last year.
He also cooked for the queen when she visited Armagh in 2008.
Speaking to the Fermanagh Herald this week, Stephen attributed his interest in food to family members and their culinary influence.
“My mum is a great cook, and my great aunt is a great cook – so I was always surrounded by good food at home.
“From a very young age I knew what I wanted to do. I started work from a young age in the kitchen, I was 13 – which would be frowned upon today. So I’ve been in kitchens a look time, and I’ve always loved food.”
As for the award, recognised among professionals, Stephen was delighted to receive it.
“It was a fantastic feeling, I didn’t expect to win it – but it was a great feeling.”