Danielle Barry, Michelin Star Chef

Danielle is the only female Michelin Star Chef in Ireland. She grew up on a farm in Mayobridge, Co Down. Her career began when she started washing pots in a local restaurant. After catering college, Dannielle trained for four years under Michael Deane, one of the leading figures in the Belfast restaurant scene. She travelled the world and trained under many experienced chefs. When Michael asked her to head up his new fine dining restaurant Eipic, she returned home. Within 18 months they were awarded a Michelin star, making her the only female Michelin-starred chef in Ireland. From Eipic in Belfast she moved on to open her own restaurant and then stepped into the role of head chef in Balloo House in Northern Ireland.

One of Dannielle’s joys in her work is the thrill that comes from making people happy, seeing or hearing a restaurant full of all kinds of people, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or even on first dates, and knowing that she is a part of it.

Photo: Beta Bajgart