The Man Behind the Pass: In the Hot Seat with Head Chef Stephen Foster

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Like all young boys in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s a footballer like George Best.

What made you become a chef?

At school I loved Domestic Science and had a very good teacher, also my grandmother was a very good cook.

What 3 words best describe you?

Honest, Loyal & Creative

Worst job you’ve ever had?

Worst job I have ever had was working on a fruit farm 10 hours a day, 6 days a week for £5.50

Name 3 things you love about Ballymena?

The things I love are the people, my wife is from here, its also central to many other towns and of course the golf courses.

What does Sunday lunch mean to you?

Sunday lunch to me is a family day.  There is nothing better than spending time with friends and family over a nice meal.

What is your favourite ingredient to use when cooking?

When cooking I like to use a lot of fish on my menu.  You can be creative with it and it’s very healthy.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

As a young chef the best advice I was given was to look after your feet, because working in a kitchen for 12-14 hours is a long time to be walking on them.

What advice would you give to aspiring young chefs?

Get the best experience you can with the best people you can and most of all enjoy the environment of the kitchen, its hectic, but brilliant.

MD Shortlisted for Business Person of the Year

Featured: Ballymena Guardian, 09 September 2010

Eugene McKeever, proprietor of the McKeever Hotel Group which owns the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim, Corr’s Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey and most recently the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena, has been shortlisted for a 2010 Ulster Tatler People of the Year Award.

He is one of three nominees who go forward to the finals of the Business Person of the Year category at the Awards.

This is the thirdyear of the Ulster Tatler People of the Year Awards, which will culminate with a star-studded gala event later this month.  The awards - organised by Northern Ireland’s longest running glossy magazine Ulster Tatler to recognise and celebrate the people who have lit up its pages for more than 40 years – comprise 15 indivdual categories relating to life and lifestyles in Northern Ireland, from fashion to interior design, hairdressing to hospitality, and from business to sport.

Shortlists in each category have been compiled from the votes cast by members of the public and judging panels of media and industry experts will select the winners which will be announced at a glittering event in the Waterfront Hall on September 16.

Eugene McKeever started out as a 12 year old part-time worker in Corr’s Corner, (which he now owns) and is President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

Leaving school at the age of 15 he became a full-time chef and eventually became Head Chef at Corr’s Corner, a position he held for 11 years.  He then started his own restaurant in Randalstown, but returned to Corr’s Corner as its owner.  Under his ownership all three hotels have undergone major transformations, renovations and additions.

Eugene is dedicated to the hotel industry and committed to staff development, inspiring his staff through hard work, dedication and passion. 

“It is very obvious from the number and quality of the nominations we have recieved this year across all the categories that the awards have acquired a reputation over the past two years,” said Chris Sherry, editor of Ulster Tatler.

“The competition gets hotter every year, so everyone shortlisted this year should consider it a real mark of appreciation from clients, peers, friends, family and fans.  Each category shortlisted comprises those who recieved most nominations.  Now myself and my Ulster Tatler colleagues, our category sponsors and our friends in the media have a difficult job of selecting the winners.  I wish all the shortlisted people the very best in the Awards and for the future.” he added.

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