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Chef Declan Horgan
An Appetite for Knowledge
Growing up in Dublin, Rathfarnham St. Benildus Declan Horgan wasn’t dreaming of a life in the United States and a career as an executive — not to mention an international celebrity — chef. Although he loved to cook in his mother’s kitchen alongside his aunts and grandmother, Declan spent his youth like many young people, playing a lot of rugby on neighborhood fields, running the streets from Grafton Street to Dublin City, and studying in his room which his mother made sure he did. His childhood was typical, but his love of food came early as smells of homemade moussaka, lasagna, and lamb chops wrapped in puff pastry (with a pate and roasted tomato!) filled his mother’s kitchen.
As a young adult he and his friends would hang out at The Hide Out and other local spots, maybe getting in and out of trouble more than most. His love of BMX meant hours of riding —filling his need for speed and action. His passion for cooking landed him at the DIT School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology on Brugha Street, where he dedicated himself to expanding his food knowledge and honing his formidable culinary skills. His appetite for knowledge is as well-known as his delicious dishes, and he soaks up food history and techniques like simple syrup on a cake sponge.
Chef Declan’s career spans 27 years in some of the best kitchens on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Michelin-starred Peacock Alley where he trained under Chef Conrad Gallagher. In the U.S. Chef Declan was the first Irish chef to open at The Wharf near Washington, D.C. where his big flavors and big personality prompted friends to encourage him to send an audition video to Gordon Ramsay’s cooking competition show, Hell’s Kitchen. He did and was asked to join season 19 of the internationally popular series. He came in third, was a fan favorite around the world and has since appeared on Food Network’s Guys Grocery Games and Super Chef Grudge Match, NBC’s the Today Show, Fox Five’s Good Day DC program and many more.
As busy as Chef Declan is with work, TV appearances, and his global food and beverage distribution company, Horgan’s Group, LLC, he decided it was time to get healthy for maximum productivity. About eight months ago Chef “Big D”, as he is sometimes called due to his 6’ 4” frame and imposing size, began a lifestyle change — a journey which he has whole-heartedly thrown himself into. He has lost 100 pounds since and taken up power lifting, something he enjoyed in youth as well.
Through hard work, talent, and sheer force of will, Declan has not only made a name for himself based on his food, but through his dynamic personality — and his mentorship of young chefs. His commanding presence in the kitchen belies his love of good craic and his empathy for young chefs in a tougher-than-ever career. As a mentor he preaches trying to find some balance in an industry notoriously known for not only a lack of it. Chef Declan has “been there and done that” and as he says, “Gotten many a t-shirt” — and knows negative paths are a waste of time if you want to get to the top. “Learn to manage your culinary path in a healthy way. Otherwise, you won’t last,” he tells his young apprentice chefs.
Chef Declan Horgan always has a lot on his plate, but his family (who all live in Dublin); his love of the lush verdant countryside, unique culture, and bustling cities of Ireland, along with his passion for creating and serving up the best dishes around drive everything he does.
“As restaurants have taken one hit after another the past few years, I’ve been thinking about how I came up and what needs to happen now. We need healthy people with talent who stay healthy. When you love this industry, you don’t just want to help it survive; you’re driven to help it thrive. When you build a team that’s strong, healthy, and inspired — you secure the future of this industry.”
He may be a Hell’s Kitchen superstar, but this culinary raconteur, chef, and now entrepreneur, is hell bent on bringing the real Irish spirit, his indomitable drive, and authentic homeland food to the US — and the world.
Chef Declan currently lives in Northern Virginia, with his partner Karen, and their English bulldog Lulu Savage, a star in her own right.