Celebrated NI chef Michael Deane is celebrating the addition of his latest culinary enterprise into the most prestigious food guide in the UK and Ireland.
The talented cook was pleasantly surprised after the coveted Bib Gourmand was bestowed on his new Belfast-based restaurant mrDeanes at a glitzy bash in Glasgow on Monday night.
The owner of the Howard Street restaurant is hopeful that the business will grow and help enhance the food offering in the city.
“Deanes at Queens already has one [a Bib Gourmand], but this was pretty special,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“It’s excellent news. We were hoping for one, but we haven’t been open for that long, so it was a bit of a surprise.”
Michael Dean at his restaurant mrDeanes in Belfast on the 11th February 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
mrDeanes was hailed by Michelin Guide judges as a “restaurant that’s bursting with vitality”, with “food and wine both offering great value for money”, as it received the nod of approval.
The venue — the only restaurant in NI to be awarded the accolade at the culinary event in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum — only opened its doors last year.
While no new Michelin stars were dished out in the region, two other restaurants were incorporated into the Michelin Guide: Saga Kitchen & Cellar on the Malone Road, Belfast, and The Bucks Head in Dundrum, Co Down.
Mr Deane expressed a degree of disappointment following the event, but conceded that the judges’ impeccable taste cannot be questioned.
“It would have been good to see much more [recognition] in Northern Ireland. There are several restaurants here that have already been recognised with a Bib Gourmand, so we are going to have to make do with that for now,” he said.
“They [the judges] are an international currency; they don’t mess about. They know what they are doing and that is why they are held in such high regard.”
Mr Deane earned the first Michelin star on the island of Ireland, with his Deanes restaurant holding the award for 13 years, losing it in 2011 following a four-month closure due to flooding.
“Holding a Michelin star means a lot, but it is not all plain sailing, as I know,” he said.
“At mrDeanes, we are not just at star level yet, but hopefully we can go from strength to strength.”
The top chef believes the Michelin Guide judges take a particular interest in Belfast and “spend a lot of time” in the city.
“We have the Ox and The Muddlers Club with one Michelin star leading the way for us. And Belfast is not a big city, so for two restaurants to have a Michelin star is not bad. It’s nothing to be laughed at,” Mr Deane said.
Michael Dean at his restaurant mrDeanes in Belfast on the 11th February 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
However, he admitted that he is holding out to see more culinary talent emerge in Belfast, despite a tough economic climate.
“People say it’s the best food in the world, and I really don’t think it is. We have a long way to go to get there, but we could get there,” Mr Deane added.
“We have the minimum wage going up and VAT staying at 20% here, when it is going down in the South, but it’s a tough industry and I think we can put our heads down and stay strong.
“It’s just difficult because the cost is going up but we can’t put prices up, because people won’t come, so it’s a real difficulty for restaurants and bars to keep the doors open,” he said.
Despite the challenges within the hospitality industry, Michael encourages young chefs to pursue their passion.
“It’s the best business in the world. You can travel anywhere in the world and you will have a roof over your head, food, and a few pounds in your pocket.”