Richard Corrigan - Celebrity Chef
Richard Corrigan was born in Dublin and brought up on a 25-acre farm in County Meath in the Irish midlands. Richard started his career at age 14 as a trainee chef at the Kirwin Hotel, in his home town of Athboy, Co. Meath.
At age 17 Richard moved to Holland and lived there for four years developing his skills as a chef de partie at various top hotels and restaurants.
In 1985 Richard moved to London to work with Michel Lorrain at Le Meridien Hotel in Piccadilly. After one year he became head chef for Stephen Bull in Blandford Street W1, before moving to Mulligan’s in Mayfair. He then worked at Bentley's Bar and Grill in Swallow Street W1 (he recently purchased the lease on this long-established restaurant) and then returned to work with Stephen Bull in Fulham Road, where he was awarded a Michelin star.
In 1996 he launched Searcy’s at the Barbican and then formed a business partnership with Searcy’s.
Having gained tremendous critical and public success in all these establishments, in autumn 1997 Richard opened Lindsay House in London’s Soho, where his Celtic roots are evident in a menu of earthy and robust tastes and textures. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 1999 and in 2000 Richard was awarded 'Outstanding London Chef' at the Carlton London Restaurant Awards.
In 2004 Richard and Searcy’s Ltd opened an exclusive restaurant and bar at the top of St Mary’s Axe, the striking Norman Foster-designed building known affectionately as The Gherkin. In 2006, Richard took over the reins at the well-established London fish restaurant, Bentley's, opening a second Bentley's in Dublin in 2008. His latest restaurant, Corrigan's Mayfair, opened in London in late 2008.
Richard has appeared on television many times, including stints on Masterchef, Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4's Jamie's Kitchen. He has also been a presenter on Full on Food. Richard was a participant in the 2006 series of Great British Menu and his smoked salmon starter went through to the final of the competition. He won the chance to cook the fish course in the second series in spring 2007.
Richard has catered for numerous prestigious events, including preparing lunch at 10 Downing Street for Tony Blair and the King and Queen of Jordan, the Lord Mayor's dinner at the London Guildhall in 2002, and a dinner held by Tony Blair for Irish President Mary McAleese. Richard is one of the regular judges for Gordon Ramsay’s scholarship award and is also a consultant to British Airways on their Culinary Council, advising on in-flight menus. He does a great deal of charity work and sits on Ken Livingstone’s London Forum.
Richard is married with three children and lives in north London.