Stephane Le Sourne came to Ghan House in 2012 and was quickly promoted to head chef in 2013.
He started cooking at the tender age of 16 where he had an apprenticeship for 2 years at one star Michelin restaurant La Charmille in Bordeaux.
He was commis and then chef de partie at 2 star Michelin restaurant Relais Chateaux.
In his national service he was private chef for a French minister cooking for the presidents Jacques Chirac, Francois Mitterrand and Nicolas Sarkozy. Once national service was over he returned as chef de partie in pastry at 2 star Michelin Relais Chateaux.
After 7 years of gaining great experience in France and Germany he brought his skills to Ireland in 1997, firstly in 5 star Glenlo Abbey in Galway, then Bloomfield 4 star hotel in Mullingar.
Stephane has maintained the 2 AA Rosettes Ghan House gained in 2011 – 8 continuous years; “we are a small kitchen team, we create & maintain a very happy atmosphere in the kitchen which I truly believe translates to our cooking. We are very lucky to have a large herb garden as well as vegetables, salad leaves and edible flowers growing in the vegetable garden. In addition we celebrate all that we have around us – such as the Cooley or Mourne Mountain lamb & beef, oysters, mussels & lobster from Carlingford Lough. Stephen Johnston, my sous chef & chef de partie Ciaran are both very capable chefs and all 3 of us enjoy experimenting and fine tuning new dishes.”
Stephane was named Best Chef in Louth in the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards.
About Ghan House:
Built in 1727, Ghan House is a fully restored, family run Georgian House with 4* Bedrooms and Restaurant now in its 22nd year of continuous business with 20 years of awards and nominations. It is one of the oldest private houses of its type in Ireland, with 3 acres of walled mature gardens. It is located a tree length from medieval Carlingford, with its' narrow streets, town gate, mint, castles, priory & ancient walls and shops, cafes, pubs & more restaurants. Ghan House is just one hour from both Dublin and Belfast. The 2 AA Rosette awarded restaurant utilises the herb & vegetable gardens and celebrates its' position on Carlingford Lough with the local seafood and Cooley or Mourne mountain lamb and beef. Whether you stay in the old house or one of the garden bedrooms views of Carlingford Lough, the Mourne mountains or Slieve Foy come as standard.