Northern Ireland

Co Down's Danni Barry ‘one of 17 chefs to watch in 2017', food magazine says

Chef Danni Barry puts the finishing touches to her salad featuring Lough Neagh eel in Eipic, Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Chef Danni Barry puts the finishing touches to her salad featuring Lough Neagh eel in Eipic, Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Chef Danni Barry puts the finishing touches to her salad featuring Lough Neagh eel in Eipic, Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

IRELAND's only female Michelin-starred recipient Danni Barry is being tipped as "one of 17 chefs to watch in 2017", by a leading food magazine.

The 31-year-old from Mayobridge, Co Down, is head chef at Eipic restaurant in Belfast's Howard Street and is one of an elite group of female Michelin-starred chefs in the UK.

In October 2016, it was announced that Ms Barry and Eipic had retained their Michelin star status for another year.

"Michael Deane’s Howard Street restaurant complex is 20 years old this year, and as vibrant as ever," Olive Magazine said.

"Head chef Danni Barry, who bagged a Michelin star for chic Eipic within 18 months of taking charge, is emerging as one of the UK’s foremost talents."

In an interview with The Irish News last year, Ms Barry told how she worked for chef Michael Deane for four years before embarking on a global food adventure.

Her travels took her to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, working in high-end restaurants along the way, including a private yacht in Valencia and Simon Rogan's L'Enclume restaurant in Cumbria.

She also revealed how she had approached Michael Deane and asked him for a job when she was 18 years old and just out of catering college in Newry.

Deane at Eipic in Belfast with one of his proteges, acclaimed head chef Danni Barry. Picture by Hugh Russell
Deane at Eipic in Belfast with one of his proteges, acclaimed head chef Danni Barry. Picture by Hugh Russell Deane at Eipic in Belfast with one of his proteges, acclaimed head chef Danni Barry. Picture by Hugh Russell

Speaking about the chefs handpicked for the publication, Olive Magazine said: "These culinary masterminds will be making headlines this year with new restaurants, inspiring flavours and exciting creativity.

"Their top list includes new names, some stars and some old favourites and you can expect great things from them all."

Making the list alongside Ms Barry are Clare Smyth (London), Saiphin Moore (Lao Café, London), Marianna Leivaditaki (Morito Hackney Road, London), Monica Galetti (Mere, London), Shaun Hurrell (Barrio Comida, Newcastle), Luke Cockerill (The Rabbit in the Moon, Manchester), Neil Bentinck (Skosh, York), Ben Marks (Perilla, London), Claude Bosi (Bibendum, London), Ben Chapman (Kiln, London, Tom Griffiths (The Burgundy Rooms, Brighton), Scott Goss (The Twenty Six, Tunbridge Wells), Mike Burgoyne (The Whitehouse, Scotland), Robby Jenks (The Vineyard, Berkshire), Sam Buckley (Where the Light Gets In, Stockport) and Elliot Lidstone (Box-E, Bristol)

 :: Pick up a copy of the Janurary issue of Olive magazine for the full feature or visit www.olivemagazine.com