Denis Cotter

Born in Macroom, Co. Cork, Denis worked in banking for eight years before leaving to follow an ambition to work with food. Already a vegetarian, he trained as a cook in the famous Cranks restaurants in London. Following the well-organised and methodical systems of Cranks, a year spent in New Zealand gave Denis access to the emphasis on seasonality and creativity that would shape the basis of his cooking.

Back in Ireland, after a spell in a wholefood restaurant, Denis’ frustration with the limitations of the vegetarian industry sparked the opening of Cafe Paradiso in 1993, to create an environment where he could evolve a personal style of cooking focussed on the pleasure of food rather than the perceived negativity of vegetarianism.

Among the many awards bestowed on Cafe Paradiso, Denis Cotter was voted ‘Chef of the Year ’ by Food & Wine (Ireland) magazine in 2005.

Denis Cotter is also the author of three books. Atrium, an imprint of the Cork University Press, published his first book, ‘The Café Paradiso Cookbook’ in June 1999; and his second, ‘Paradiso Seasons’ in June 2003. The first book was shortlisted for the British Guild of Food Writers Awards. ‘Paradiso Seasons’ won ‘Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the World’ at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Barcelona in 2004, and was shortlisted for the James Beard Awards in New York in 2005.

November 2007 saw the release of Denis’ third book, titled ‘wild garlic, gooseberries & me’ and published by Harper Collins. Giving equal rein to his writing talent and ability to create inspirational recipes, ‘wild garlic…’ was shortlisted for the Andre Simon Awards in 2008.

While still overseeing the kitchen of Cafe Paradiso, Denis is also a cookery teacher, guesting regularly at schools in Ireland and abroad.

He is currently working on a new book, to be published by Harper Collins early in 2011.