Kevin Thornton

Kevin Thornton is an Irish celebrity chef, radio and television personality and author, known for featuring on television series such as Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat and characterised by a supposed dislike of potato chips and confirmed dislike of pizza. He has written a book, Food for Life, and had his recipes featured on the national radio station Newstalk. He has been praised by The New York Times and featured in publications such as The Dubliner and the Irish Independent. Thornton has received numerous awards and was named Food & Wine Magazine/'s Chef of the Year for Ireland in 2007.

Style Thornton views his profession as being similar to theatre and performance and was famously embroiled in a controversy in 2007 surrounding his alleged refusal to sell chips to his restaurant customers, sparking comparisons to the hot-headed British chef Gordon Ramsay. The incident has since seen Thornton become associated with a dislike of chips and, as recently as 2009, has been crafted as a pun by the Irish media for any other outlet which does not serve the food. Thornton has also expressed the desire that his and other similar Irish restaurants not be viewed as elitist by Irish clientele, but instead be embraced above poor quality, cheaper alternatives.

He has appeared on programmes such as The Afternoon Show.

In February 2008, Thornton featured in the third episode of Guerrilla Gourmet, a television series which had six professional chefs attempt to set up their own temporary restaurant in an unusual location. He chose to house his temporary restaurant at the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, having grown up in the area as a child.

In July 2008, the reality television series, Heat, was launched. Two series of the programme have been produced, with Thornton taking on rival chef Kevin Dundon in each. He was Heat Champion in the second series but lost the first series to Dundon.

In April 2009, Thornton co-launched the Taste of Dublin festival together with Dundon.

On 1 September 2016 it was announced that Thornton's Restaurant would close on 29 October 2016.

Awards Thornton was named Food & Wine Magazine's Chef of the Year for Ireland in 2007. One Michelin star: 1996-2000 and 2006–2015

Personal life Thornton is married to his wife named Muriel. He is fond of photography and scuba diving.