Richard Corrigan Q&A

The most English of restaurants, dating back to 1916, Bentley's has been reborn since it fell into the hands of an Irishman. Richard Corrigan's refurbishment of this classic West End oyster bar and grill, where he worked as head chef back in the early '90s, restored its lustre and stellar reputation for shellfish and seafood. Its cosy ground floor oyster bar, where marble counters meet red leather upholstery and the seasoned shuckers in white jackets know their business and their oysters, feels particularly special.

As well as his second London restaurant, Corrigan's Mayfair, Corrigan's regular appearances on the Taste of London circuit alongside a handful of cookbooks and TV appearances has made him a recognisable figure on the London restaurant scene, where you'll find him advocating the honest, uncomplicated cooking and pristine ingredients that have always informed his menus.

Taste Club catches up with Richard Corrigan as he prepares for St Patrick's Day and Taste of London.

  • How will you be celebrating St Patrick's Day on March 17?

I will be in both of my restaurants, Corrigan’s Mayfair and Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, helping my guests celebrate their St Patrick’s Day. No doubt the day will end with a Guinness or two and listening to our live entertainment at Bentley’s.

  • What’s your favourite Irish dish and why?

Boiled Collar of Bacon with Cabbage, with my favourite English accompaniment, Colman’s Mustard.

  • You emphasise ingredients from the British Isles in your cooking - what's your favourite Irish ingredient?

Anything from Sally Barnes Woodcock Smokery.

  • Take us through the Irish Festival of Food at Corrigan’s Mayfair, what's happening; what are you serving?

For the whole week of St Patrick’s [March 14 to 20th], we will be serving Irish specialities such as crubeens, Irish stew with colcannon, oyster stout Rarebit, amongst other delights. Our legendary cheese trolley will be entirely Irish for the whole week.

  • Apart from your own restaurants, what’s your favourite Irish bar and restaurant (or chef) in London?

She will kill me for saying this – did you know my friend Angela Hartnett is half Irish – that makes her my favourite London Irish chef!

  • Your restaurants Corrigan’s Mayfair and Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill are featuring at this year’s Taste of London. What can we expect in Regent's Park this year?

Corrigan’s Mayfair will have to come up with something spectacular to beat the phenomenal success of Bentley’s from the last two years – we are still working on the dishes, but they will be well worth the visit.

  • You’re also doing a demonstration at Taste of London - have you thought about what you might be cooking?

I think I will do something with Dublin Bay prawns, one of my favourite ingredients just now.

 

Catch Richard Corrigan on Channel 4's Cookery School, weekdays at 2.10pm.