Meet our Chefs – Luca Mantoan
Here in Doolin, you can experience fresh, locally inspired dishes during your visit. Dine like a local and enjoy the tastes of the wild Atlantic and Burren region. Doolin is a culinary hub and is home to some great local restaurants, cafés and eateries.
Our culinary experiences are fueled by passionate chefs who work in our hospitality businesses. Nowhere else in Ireland will you find such attention to detail and variety of flavours.
In the fourth of our series of Meet the Chefs, we meet Chef Luca Mantoan, Head Chef of Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel. This beautiful Hotel is set high on a hilltop, against the wild and rugged beauty of the West of Ireland. Here, you will find exceptional, award-winning fine dining, inspired by the riches of the Burren – and some of the most magnificent ocean views Ireland has to offer. A Ballinalacken is experience is about feeling special and treated to the finest things in life, together with a relaxed spirit of informality, and the personal service and thoughtfulness of the O’Callaghans as your hosts.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into professional cookery?
I started my apprenticeship in Switzerland at 17 years old at a 3 Michelin star restaurant the Dolder Grand, then onto Villa D Este in Italy, from there to South Africa, I had my own restaurant in fine dining. I am now 9 years in Ireland.
Tell us about where you work in Doolin and your favourite thing about your job.
I work at Ballinalacken Castle, I’d say the best thing about my kitchen is , is that I have the freedom to basically create whatever I like.
What is your favourite dish to make at work and why?
Mostly anything in regards to fresh Sea food
Tell us about your favourite local produce.
Some of the best fish in the world on your doorstep, variety is huge. Great meat and fantastic fruit and vegetables, 80% all sourced locally, 100% of it all fresh, arriving daily. You could not ask for more!
What is your favourite thing about Doolin?
Doolin, to me, is one of the most beautiful places in the world to live!
Find more information on Ballinalacken Castle Hotel here.
Meet the chefs of Doolin on our Instagram Reel here.
Read Next: 9 Travel Tips for Planning an Adventure to Doolin
Be sure to explore the rest of our website to find out more information, or to plan your next visit to beautiful Doolin in County Clare.
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