True character

Cooking for the G8 Summit next month is such a privilege . . . not everyone gets a chance to cook for so many significant heads of state and government.

Up to this, the most prestigious event I've catered for was . . . Paul McCartney's wedding at Castle Leslie.

Seasonality is important to my cooking . . . I have dedicated my entire career to one very simple goal: finding, preparing and serving the freshest food in season.

I believe in buying direct from the producers whenever I can. . . they know their produce better than anyone. Give your money directly to the people who are growing your food. They need it, and you get the greatest value from it.

I have many other interests outside the kitchen . . . horse riding, walking the dog, swimming.

It gives me a buzz . . . when I meet other like-minded people, such as farmers, gardeners – people with passion and love for what they do.
The best advice I've ever been given is . . . love all, trust few, always paddle your own canoe.

If I wasn't doing this . . . I'd be an artist, or a conductor of an orchestra. I have always felt that, like in the kitchen, you need everyone playing the same tune.

When I'm not working . . . I enjoying spending time with my family. I have two handicapped brothers, twins, and they are a very special part of my life.

My favourite restaurant is . . . The Metropole Hotel in Venice

My dream dinner party guests would be . . . Peter Ustinov, Tommy Cooper, Yanni, Joan Rivers, John Wayne.

And I'd cook them . . . a big bowl of stew with great homemade wheaten soda bread with good country butter, and of course something creamy and Irish to wash it all down.

Six things I always have in my larder are . . . Broighter Gold rapeseed oil, sea salt, soda bread flour, side of fresh salted bacon, buttermilk, eggs from my own hens in the garden

But if only had a tenner to go shopping with, I'd buy . . . the freshest local produce I could find.

I'm really good at . . . listening.

I wish I was better at … well, I have to say I never look back to wish. To be is to be – you are what you are.

Not many people know this about me, but . . . I have a book coming out in November called The Irish Pantry , published by Running Press USA

My guilty pleasure is . . . chocolate

See lougherneresort.com