Shane is hoping to cause quite a stir with 'Yes Chef'
A DROGHEDA man is behind a new foodie magazine to the Irish market, which is bound to cause quite a stir in hundreds of kitchens across the nation!
Shane Smith is originally from St Mary's Villas, son of the late East Coast jazz man Terry Smith and his late wife Pearl (nee Mathews).
Now living in Hillsborough, Co Down with his wife Nicci from William Street, his publishing company NI Media is producing 'Yes Chef Ireland', a monthly gastronomic magazine to join the Northern Ireland and Scotland versions.
Not forgetting his roots, Scholar's Townhouse chef Dave Kelly and Brabazon in Slane are featured in the launch issue.
'I came up with the original concept seven years ago on Father's Daywhen my mum-in-law gave me a cook book,' says Shane, who has two stepdaughters Karen and Jenny Sweeney and a son Matthew.
'Being a huge foodie and a publisher - and with the assistance of a few glasses of birthday wine - I decided that a book was the way forward but on wakening the following morning I realised in my sobriety that a book would be financial suicide!'
Still he thought with so many chefs across our small island cooking to serious standards, being overshadowed by the big boys, he ploughed on with the plan, and thankfully it has proved a success.
'I was fed up with amazing chefs such as Tom Walsh at Samphire, Donabate and Stephane Le Sourne at Ghan House in Carlingford not getting the kudos they deserve,' he adds.
'We started Cook for Ulster YES CHEF in 2007 and being from Drogheda, considered Ireland as our next location,' he explains.
'It seemed the right move. Sadly, the boom had gone bust and the lights were out and so had to look elsewhere, Scotland.'
But finally YES CHEF Ireland has been born and for the first issue, they have concentrated mainly on the east coast.
'We have over 20 top chefs and several artisan suppliers like Birgina of Burren Smokehouse and of course the talented Dave Kelly from Scholar's Restaurant in Drogheda, he explains.
The magazine is on sale in all leading newsagents priced €3.80, also in Scholars and Shane's sister's place, Mi Casa in the Lawrence Town Centre.
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