TOP CHEF

Whether you’ve had the pleasure of dining at one of his many residencies in some of Ireland’s top restaurants or you’ve seen his hit RTÉ show, Beyond the Menu - Mark Moriarty is a face and name you’re sure to recognise. Moriarty began what was to be an illustrious career when he became a chef at the Chart House Restaurant in Dingle, Co Kerry at just fifteen years old. Since then, he has gone on to achieve such accolades as San Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 as well as being featured on the Forbes 30 Under list in 2017. He has worked in some of the greatest restaurants in the world including Dublin’s own two-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Greenhouse. And only recently, Moriarty has delved into the world of television presenting with the hit RTÉ1 show, Beyond the Menu which showcases culinary talent across Ireland.

So who better to join in The Kitchen? Having recently hosted a cooking demonstration in-store with Arnotts, we caught up with Mark Moriarty to find out his kitchen favourites.

A: “Sunday is usually my day to cook, and it's usually something pasta related. Pasta is always quick to make, tasty, comforting and something that doesn’t result in too much washing up. I’d be a fan of a classic carbonara with loads of black pepper.”

A: “Pots will last a lifetime if you look after them, non-stick pans have a shorter lifespan. When the seal on a nonstick pan begins to fray you know it’s time to replace them. There is nothing more frustrating than something sticking to an old pan.

For authentic Italian dishes and a menu inspired by Mark Moriarty's recipes, visit The Kitchen on the
Upper Second Level.

A: “I am a massive fan of the Le Creuset range. I have a shallow and a deeper pot at home and I expect to still be using the same ones when I am 60.”

A: “Easy question, nothing yet! There are loads of restaurant dishes that come and go. Right now, it is probably a garlic butter stuffed brioche bread that I made during lockdown.”

A: “It’s simple: ‘colour equals flavour’.

A: “A quality non stick pan, Le Creuset pot, good coffee machine (for the chef!), quality 7-9 inch chef’s blade and a high quality blender.”