Star Chefs · Ireland
Dylan McGrath The fiery young Michelin chef of Mint who rebuilt himself as a Dublin restaurateur and MasterChef judge.
A Michelin star at Mint in Ranelagh in 2008–09, among the youngest Irish chefs to win one; the RTÉ documentary The Pressure Cooker, years as a MasterChef Ireland judge, Dylan McGrath's Secret Service and Dad Food; Georgina Campbell's Chef of the Year 2016. Recent press is mixed after two closures in 2024.
Dylan McGrath was born in Dublin on 4 August 1977, spent his first years in Carlow and grew up in Belfast[1][2]. He trained at Portrush Catering College, learned his craft at Roscoff in Belfast and then cooked in London with Tom Aikens[1][2].
Back in Dublin he ran the kitchen at Mint in Ranelagh, which held a Michelin star in 2008–09[3][4]. After Mint closed in the recession, he opened Rustic Stone in August 2010, then Fade Street Social, Taste at Rustic and Shelbourne Social[4][5][1]. With partner Vincent Melinn he built a group of more than 300 staff[7].
Georgina Campbell's guide named him Chef of the Year in 2016[6]. Television made him a household name, from the documentary The Pressure Cooker to MasterChef Ireland and Dylan McGrath's Secret Service[4][8].
In August 2024 he closed Rustic Stone and Brasserie Sixty6, and Fade Street Social became his main restaurant[4]. His cookbook Dad Food was shortlisted at the Irish Book Awards in 2024[8].
Life Timeline
Tap any moment to read its story.
- Origins Born In Dublin, Made In Belfast Kitchens Born in Dublin in 1977 and raised in Carlow and Belfast, Dylan McGrath bluffs his way into his first head chef job, then learns the craft properly at Roscoff. Read The Story
- Stars A Star In Ranelagh, And Cameras In The Kitchen At Mint in Ranelagh, McGrath wins a Michelin star for 2008–09. An RTÉ documentary films his drive for perfection, and Mint closes in the recession. Read The Story
- Opening Starting Again On South Great George's Street In August 2010 McGrath opens Rustic Stone, a mid-market restaurant where guests cook on hot stones. It becomes the base of a new Dublin group. Read The Story
- Award Chef Of The Year For Taste At Rustic Georgina Campbell's guide names McGrath Chef of the Year 2016 for Taste at Rustic, a Japanese-inspired room above Rustic Stone that recalls his cooking at Mint. Read The Story
- Opening Shelbourne Social Opens In Ballsbridge Just before Christmas 2018 McGrath opens Shelbourne Social, a split-level restaurant at the new One Ballsbridge development in Dublin 4. Read The Story
- TV & Media Secret Service, Dad Food And A Kinder Spotlight In 2023 McGrath fronts Dylan McGrath's Secret Service, teaching kitchen skills to people from marginalised backgrounds. His cookbook Dad Food follows in 2024. Read The Story
Restaurants
- Roscoff Belfast, United Kingdom cook Where he learned his craft properly. [2]
- Tom Aikens London, United Kingdom cook [1]
- Mint Dublin, Ireland head chef In Ranelagh village; a Michelin star in 2008–09, closed in the recession. [3]
- Rustic Stone Dublin, Ireland chef-owner · 2010–2024 Opened in August 2010 on South Great George's Street; closed in August 2024. [4]
- Fade Street Social Dublin, Ireland chef-owner A 340-seat restaurant and gastro-bar on Fade Street. [4]
- Brasserie Sixty6 Dublin, Ireland co-owner · …–2024 Owned 50/50 with Vincent Melinn; closed in August 2024. [4]
Ranking History
Rank8Six-month average61Assessment of the month61
We update the ranking every month. It follows a six-month weighted average of the fame score, so one quiet month changes little.
| Assessment of the month | Rank | Fame Score | Six-month average |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 8 | 61 | 61 |
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these sources. Each number in the text points to the source it came from.
- Press Hot Press: The Hot Press Interview with Dylan McGrath
- Press Hot Press: Bon appetit for destruction
- Press Travel Extra: 48 and counting: All of Ireland's Michelin restaurants (back to Myrtle Allen's time)
- Press The Irish Times: Chef Dylan McGrath shuts Dublin restaurants Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone
- Press TheTaste: "I'm not finished yet" – What's Next for Dylan McGrath
- Guide Georgina Campbell Guides: Chef of the Year 2016 | Dylan McGrath | Georgina Campbell Guides
- Press The Irish Times: Dylan McGrath: 'I'm 100% back. I'm as good as I've ever been'
- Press An Post Irish Book Awards: Dad Food - Irish Book Awards