| Corrigan smouldering over nationality
jibe  ONE
of Ireland’s most successful chefs has been attacked for his close
relationship with Britain.
Richard Corrigan the hugely-successful patron of Lindsay House in London
was criticised by Dublin chef Kevin Thornton as a man “who declares
himself to be English by doing things for the Queen”.
Meath-born Corrigan has taken the slight as a grave insult.
He said in the Irish press: “I am very annoyed by that. When he
questioned my nationality I felt like chopping his legs off with an axe.”
The jibe from Thornton that started the furious
war of words stems from Corrigan’s involvement in Great British
Menu a BBC television series in which top chefs competed for the chance
to cook for the Queen of England on her 80th birthday.
Corrigan, who began his career in Athboy, won the heat representing the
North of Ireland and his starter of smoked salmon with Irish soda bread,
woodland sorrel and cress was ultimately chosen for the final Royal menu.
What makes this tirade more surprising is that once these two mercurial
geniuses were fervent admirers of each other’s culinary talents.
Now Corrigan witheringly dismisses Thornton.
He said: “Is business that bad Kevin that you have to drum up a
row between us? It is a big insult to question someone’s nationality
and a mean one.
“I am, and always have been, a proud Irishman and a passionate advocate
of Irish produce.”
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