Barry Smyth
Barry Smyth | |
|---|---|
| Born | Northern Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, culinary instructor, food business owner |
| Known for | Executive chef of The Oriel (Michelin-starred), owner of The Flavoursmyth |
Barry Smyth is a chef from Northern Ireland, recognized for his roles as a culinary instructor and food business owner. He rose to prominence as the executive chef of The Oriel in Gilford, County Down, where the establishment was awarded Michelin stars in both 2004 and 2005. Presently, Smyth manages The Flavoursmyth, a mobile catering venture specializing in street food, based out of Armagh.
Career
Smyth's professional journey includes experience in esteemed kitchens such as The Connaught in London and Roscoff in Belfast under the mentorship of chef Paul Rankin. In 1999, he launched The Oriel, achieving Michelin star recognition in 2004 and 2005. He sold the restaurant in 2006 to dedicate more time to consultancy work and culinary education.
He has taught at Southern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College, earning a nomination as a finalist for the Craft Guild of Chefs "Chef Lecturer of the Year" award in 2016.
In 2018, Smyth took up the position of Head Chef at Castle Leslie Estate. A year later, he collaborated with Simon Dougan from Yellow Door to oversee catering operations at Hillsborough Castle through a five-year agreement, which resulted in the creation of 35 new jobs.
The Flavoursmyth
Smyth runs The Flavoursmyth, a gourmet street food brand operating from a refurbished Airstream trailer. The menu highlights produce sourced from the UK and Ireland, such as Armagh Dexter beef, showcasing his background in fine dining.
He is a frequent participant at food festivals including the Belfast Christmas Market, where his seasonal dish Festive Loaded Fries—consisting of turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy served over chips—has become particularly popular.
Awards
- Michelin Star (2004, 2005) – The Oriel
- Finalist, Craft Guild of Chefs Awards – Chef Lecturer of the Year (2016)