Star Chefs · Ireland
Mickael Viljanen The Finnish-raised chef who won two Michelin stars twice in Dublin, at The Greenhouse and Chapter One.
Two Michelin stars at The Greenhouse in 2019, the first second star in the capital since 2000, then two stars again at Chapter One within seven months of reopening in 2022, held in the 2026 guide; a 10/10 Irish Times review and Food & Wine Chef of the Year twice.
Mickael Viljanen was born in Stockholm and grew up in Finland, in the city of Pori[1]. He chose catering college over university, cooked on a cruise ship and became head chef of PK's in Pori at 23[1].
He moved to Ireland in 2000 to work with Paul Flynn at The Tannery in Waterford, then spent five years at Gregans Castle in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare[1][2][7]. In 2012 he joined the founding team of The Greenhouse in Dublin, which won one Michelin star and then a second[1][2].
In May 2021 he became chef patron and co-owner of Chapter One on Parnell Square, alongside Ross Lewis, and the restaurant was renamed Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen[2][3][5]. It won two Michelin stars in February 2022 and kept them in the 2026 guide[3][4][6].
He calls his cooking neither Finnish, French nor Irish but a blend of all three, and often creates dishes on the spot from the produce of the day[1].
Life Timeline
Tap any moment to read its story.
- Career A Cook From Pori Lands In Ireland Born in Stockholm and raised in Finland, Viljanen is a head chef at 23. In 2000 he moves to Ireland and joins Paul Flynn at The Tannery in Waterford. Read The Story
- Opening A New Greenhouse Grows In Dublin In 2012 Viljanen joins the founding team of The Greenhouse in Dublin, in a joint venture with Eamonn O'Reilly, and it is named Restaurant of the Year in its first year. Read The Story
- Stars The Greenhouse Earns Its First Star The Greenhouse wins its first Michelin star, in the 2016 edition of the guide. Viljanen is now one of the leading chefs in Dublin. Read The Story
- Stars Two Stars For The Greenhouse The Greenhouse wins a second Michelin star, the first restaurant in the capital to do so since 2000. Viljanen joins the very top tier of Irish chefs. Read The Story
- Business A New Chapter On Parnell Square In May 2021 Viljanen becomes chef patron and co-owner of Chapter One, the Dublin institution run for almost three decades by Ross Lewis. Read The Story
- Stars Two Stars Again, Less Than Seven Months In In February 2022 Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen wins two Michelin stars, less than seven months after reopening. It still holds them in the 2026 guide. Read The Story
Restaurants
- PK's Pori, Finland head chef He became head chef here at 23. [1]
- The Tannery Co Waterford, Ireland cook · 2000–today With Paul Flynn, his first kitchen in Ireland. [2]
- Gregans Castle Ballyvaughan, Ireland chef Five years at this country house hotel in Co Clare. [7]
- The Greenhouse Dublin, Ireland head chef and partner · 2012–2021 Two Michelin stars under Viljanen; it was not open when the 2022 guide came out. [3]
- Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen Dublin, Ireland chef patron and co-owner · 2021–today On Parnell Square, with Ross Lewis as patron; two stars since 2022. [3]
Ranking History
Rank6Six-month average63Assessment of the month63
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 | 6 | 63 | 63 |
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these sources. Each number in the text points to the source it came from.
- Press The Staff Canteen: 2 Michelin Star Chefs: Mickael Viljanen, chef patron, Chapter One
- Press The Staff Canteen: Mickael Viljanen becomes chef patron of Chapter One as Ross Lewis steps out of the kitchen
- Press The Irish Times: Michelin awards 2022: Chapter One and Liath win two stars
- Press Hospitality Ireland: Dublin's Chapter One By Mickael Viljanen Restaurant Gains Two Michelin Stars
- Official Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen: THE RESTAURANT | Chapter One Restaurant
- Press TheTaste: MICHELIN Guide: Full List of Ireland's Michelin Star Restaurants for 2026
- Official Gregans Castle Hotel: Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan