True Character

I've worked at Fitzpatrick Castle for more than 40 years . . . I was originally trained in Switzerland and moved to the castle with the late Paddy Fitzpatrick when he bought it in 1971.

We always try to give guests
whatever they want, within reason . . . There was the rich eccentric American lady who wanted a bath of milk.

Some guests have special dietary requirements . . . Over the years
we have had the Irish national rugby team staying, and they have very particular diets.

Rugby players eat . . . Lots of protein. Favourites include porridge, and lots of it; turkey rashers – low fat; prawn and avocado salad; pasta with boiled chicken.

I've travelled with the Irish rugby team as their head chef . . . In 2010/2011 I travelled with the team to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup. I was the liaison between the hotel chefs and the squad. Ideally we were maintaining their existing diet.

A lot of the players had a particular interest in food . . . Brian O'Driscoll as captain took a great interest in all the meals.

The pre-match eating regime is very strict . . . generally they eat three hours before they play and it consists of porridge, pasta penne with sauce, fruits, yogurts and rice pudding.

It gives me a buzz when . . . the hotel is full.

The best advice I've ever been given is . . . don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

If I wasn't doing this . . . I'd be bored.

When I'm not working . . . I love to walk and work in the garden.

My favourite hotel is . . . Cap Maison in St Lucia.

My dream dinner party guests would be . . . Ronan O'Gara, Rala O'Reilly and Dr John Fitzpatrick.

And I'd cook them . . . fillets of sole Killiney, cutlets of veal Jockey Club, and for dessert, Apple Cracker.

Five things I always have in my larder at home are . . . tomatoes, pasta, fresh pineapple, Parmesan and noodles.

But if only had a tenner to go shopping with . . . I'd buy a newspaper for the sports results , a Quick Pick Lotto ticket, a watermelon and a chocolate bar.

My ideal day off is spent . . . in my garden.

I'm really good at . . . attention to detail.

I wish I was better at . . . planning my down time.

Not many people know this about me, but . . . I'm here over 40 years!

My guilty pleasure is . . . a pint of Guinness and a Crunchie bar.

In conversation with Marie-Claire Digby