Chefs

The best culinary talent that Belfast has to offer. Read about each Chefs background & how they put this into the preparation & delivery of every class.

Ian Hunter

Guest Chef/Proprietor A veteran of Northern Ireland's restaurant scene with a real pedigree who has worked with and under the tutelage of highly regarded chefs such as, Andy Rea, Michael Deane, Niall McKenna, Gary Rhodes and John Moffett. Ian has managed some of Northern Irelands best restauran...

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Ian Hunter

Guest Chef/Proprietor

A veteran of Northern Ireland’s restaurant scene with a real pedigree who has worked with and under the tutelage of highly regarded chefs such as, Andy Rea, Michael Deane, Niall McKenna, Gary Rhodes and John Moffett.
Ian has managed some of Northern Irelands best restaurant kitchens and recognised multiple times for his approach to their brands and the cuisine they produce. Ian has won and contributed to the winning of a variety of awards including Northern Irelands restaurant of the year 2006.

Nigel Stevenson

Guest Chef Nigel Stevenson is one of the most knowledgeable chefs working in Belfast, with a long history in some of the city's best restaurants. Following stints in Belfast Castle and The Windrose Bar and Restaurant, Nigel brought his experience to bear in the industrial sector, where he was awa...

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Nigel Stevenson

Guest Chef

Nigel Stevenson is one of the most knowledgeable chefs working in Belfast, with a long history in some of the city’s best restaurants. Following stints in Belfast Castle and The Windrose Bar and Restaurant, Nigel brought his experience to bear in the industrial sector, where he was awarded the ‘Sodexho’  All Ireland Chef of the year award in 2005.

Stuart McCombe

Senior Chef/Manager Stuart is a very knowledgeable chef with 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Following two years of training at Belfast Metropolitan College, he earned himself a job within the Deanes group. There, he gained vital experience from Northern Ireland's top chefs, t...

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Stuart McCombe

Senior Chef/Manager

Stuart is a very knowledgeable chef with 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Following two years of training at Belfast Metropolitan College, he earned himself a job within the Deanes group. There, he gained vital experience from Northern Ireland’s top chefs, training under Danni Barry in the Michelin-starred EIPIC, and also working in Deanes Meatlocker and Love Fish.

This led to him assisting James Devine when he competed and won the National Chef of the Year 2017.

Stuart then began working with Belfast Cookery School in 2017, becoming the full-time chef in 2021.

Andy Rea

Guest Chef/Propriter Andy is one of the most experienced chefs working in Northern Ireland. From his roots training in catering at the Belfast Institute, Andy went on to work throughout America before returning to Belfast and settling on a position in Michelin restaurant Roscoff. Andy was appo...

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Andy Rea

Guest Chef/Propriter

Andy is one of the most experienced chefs working in Northern Ireland. From his roots training in catering at the Belfast Institute, Andy went on to work throughout America before returning to Belfast and settling on a position in Michelin restaurant Roscoff.

Andy was appointed Head Chef at Roscoff and latterly Cayenne, scooping numerous accolades along the way. In partnership with seafood farming duo Joanne and Bob McCoubrey, Andy opened Mourne Seafood Bar in the heart of downtown Belfast to widespread critical acclaim.