Robbie Millar
Robbie Millar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Ballycarry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Died | August 13, 2005 (aged 38) Near Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur, columnist, television judge |
| Known for | Michelin-starred Shanks Restaurant, columnist for Belfast Telegraph, judge on BBC's MasterChef |
Robbie Millar (26 April 1967 – 13 August 2005) was a renowned chef and restaurateur originating from Ballycarry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Millar's culinary journey took him through kitchens in Corfu, Zurich, and London before he returned to Northern Ireland to join Paul Rankin's Roscoff in Belfast. It was there that he met Shirley, the restaurant’s manager and his future wife. In 1994, Millar launched Shanks Restaurant located at the Blackwood golf centre within the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor.
By 1996, Shanks had been awarded a Michelin Star, an accolade it maintained for a decade. The establishment also earned the Egon Ronay Guide’s Newcomer of the Year award in 1995 and was honored with three rosettes from the Automobile Association. Beyond his kitchen work, Millar contributed as a columnist for the Belfast Telegraph and frequently appeared as a judge on the BBC’s MasterChef, alongside Loyd Grossman.
Influenced by Rankin’s style, Shanks specialized in Californian-inspired cuisine, complemented by interiors crafted by Terence Conran.
In August 2005, Millar tragically lost his life instantly in a car crash near Holywood, County Down. His Maserati veered off the road and struck a fence at a location known for frequent accidents. The coroner's findings suggested that adherence to updated safety regulations for the fence might have prevented the fatality. Although Millar’s blood alcohol content slightly exceeded the legal threshold, it was not considered a major contributing factor. He was laid to rest in Ballycarry New Cemetery beside his brother Brian.
At the time of his death, Millar was survived by three children aged between one and six years.