Michael Deane is the winner of our 2023 Chef Mentor Award, sponsored by Blancpain. He was presented with his award at the unveiling of the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2023 on 27th January. Previous winners of this award, which recognises those who work hard to guide and assist the future generation of chefs, include former Chapter One Head Chef Ross Lewis and Philip Howard of Elystan Street.
Three decades have passed since Michael Deane earned his first Michelin Star in Helen’s Bay. In that time, he has moved to Belfast and helped to shape the city’s food scene. Never one to stand still, Michael has expanded his empire across the Northern Irish capital, with five restaurants now bearing his name.
Chief among them is Eipic – Michael’s flagship restaurant showcasing seasonal ingredients in modern dishes – which retained its Michelin Star status in the 2023 selection. Then there's bustling Bib Gourmand awarded brasserie Deanes at Queens, which sits alongside Eipic to help ensure that the Deanes brand is never far away when dining out in Belfast. Michael’s name is synonymous with high quality food in Northern Ireland, and he has become a figurehead for the country’s restaurant industry.
He has had an immense influence not just on Belfast’s cuisine, but on the people behind it too, particularly on those who have worked with him. Michael has a well-deserved reputation as a "chef’s chef", known for his high standards and the professionalism with which he runs his restaurants. Numerous chefs have passed through Michael’s kitchens and owe a debt to the knowledge he has imparted and the guidance he has given them.
Eipic itself has benefitted from the wonderful mentoring and leadership that Michael brings to his teams. Head Chef Alex Greene is a shining example of Michael’s positive influence, having started his career at Deanes back in 2007. After spending time in several other top restaurants, Alex returned to the Deanes team and now ensures that Eipic’s high quality of food is maintained.
When asked how he felt about mentoring the culinary stars of the future, Michael chose to quote the American chef Thomas Keller: “It’s important that we make the next generation better”. “Without that”, he added, “we don’t have anything”. For many years now, Michael has been working to help that next generation, making his Chef Mentor Award so richly deserved.
After collecting his jacket and trophy, Michael stayed on stage to present the following Special Award. Rather fittingly, it was for Young Chef, which went to Sarah Hayward of The Coach in Marlow.
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