Paul Rankin

Paul Rankin

Rankin at The Good Food Show in 2011
Born (1959-10-01) 1 October 1959
Glasgow, Scotland
Website http://www.rankinselection.com/

Paul Rankin (born 1 October 1959 Glasgow, Scotland) is a celebrity chef from Ballywalter, County Down, Northern Ireland. Rankin's parents moved back to Ballywalter, where he grew up, some time after he was born. This was stated when he was the subject of an episode of a short programme named Proud Parents on Channel 4, made in 2006. On the episode of Ready Steady Cook first broadcast on Tuesday 26 February 2008, he himself stated he was born in Scotland.

Chef

In 1989 Paul Rankin opened Roscoff, the restaurant that was to become the first to win a Michelin Star in Northern Ireland.[1] Soon after opening, it became the favourite meeting place for the Belfast business and arts community, and people travelled from Dublin simply to experience what was considered to be the best cooking in Northern Ireland at the time. It closed in March 2013, with Rankin blaming, according to the Belfast Telegraph, the "Union Flag protests and bleak economy."[2][3][4][5][6] The influence of Paul and Jeanne Rankin on Irish cuisine continues today, with many of the chefs in restaurants in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland having started their careers in the kitchen of Roscoff.

His first foray into television was in the series Gourmet Ireland, produced by Irish company Waddell Productions, and shown on both BBC and RTE.[7] Both Paul and Jeanne starred in the show that was noted for the banter between the two. Jeanne is a successful pastry chef. He has since been a regular chef on the BBC cookery programme Ready Steady Cook. In 1999 Rankin was the first chef from Northern Ireland to be awarded a Michelin Star. He has written five cookery books & ran The Rankin Group chain of restaurants & cafés, including Cayenne and Roscoff in Belfast. His Canadian wife Jeanne introduced him to cooking and is co-owner of their business.

In 2006 Rankin competed in the Northern Ireland heat of the BBC's Great British Menu, a competition to cook for the Queen on her 80th birthday.

In 2006, Rankin appeared on The X Factor: Battle of the Stars, along with fellow chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli, Aldo Zilli and Ross Burden. He has also appeared on the TV programme Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Rankin has recently sold off most of the Rankin Group to cover business debts, leaving only the flagship Cayenne restaurant under his control, although this too was under negotiation as part of an IVA. This IVA was successful and bankruptcy was avoided.[8] However, the restaurant finally closed its doors on Sunday 24 March 2013 with Rankin citing the economic climate and disruptive protests in the city as being two of the reasons for the closure.[9]

The late Robbie Millar made his name while working at Roscoff.[10]

Awards

Personal life

Paul and Jeanne Rankin were married for more than 25 years. Their marriage ended amicably in 2011.[12]

Paul Rankin and Jeanne met in the 1980s, while working in Le Gavroche at notable restaurant in London. He started there as a dishwasher, while she started as a waitress. Soon they were moved into the kitchen and started their kitchen career.[13]

A riding accident left her in constant pain and ended her career as pastry chef.[14] In September 2005 Jeanne publicly acknowledged that she had been heavily dependent upon morphine and other prescription drugs following the accident and had sought help in rehabilitation.[15]

In August 2012, Rankin spoke about the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease. He revealed that his father is suffering from the disease and no longer recognises him.[16]

Books

References

  1. ↑ Graham, Ian (21 May 2005). "'Innovative' Rankins win major award". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 3 May 2012. (subscription required)
  2. ↑ Belfast Telegraph, 26 March 2013
  3. ↑ The Independent, 26 March 2013
  4. ↑ title='TV chef Paul Rankin closes Belfast restaurant Cayenne' BBC, 26 March 2013
  5. ↑ UTV, 26 March 2013
  6. ↑ RTÉ, 26 March 2013
  7. ↑ Graham, Ian (21 May 2005). "'Innovative' Rankins win major award". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 3 May 2012. (subscription required)
  8. ↑ Erwin, Alan (27 March 2009). "Rankin bankruptcy is dropped in High Court". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 1 September 2012. (subscription required)
  9. ↑ "TV chef Paul Rankin closes Belfast restaurant Cayenne". BBC News. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  10. ↑ McKenna, John (16 August 2005). "Obituary: Robbie Millar Michelin-starred chef at Shanks restaurant". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 2 September 2012. (subscription required)
  11. ↑ Graham, Ian (21 May 2005). "'Innovative' Rankins win major award". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 3 May 2012. (subscription required)
  12. ↑ Henderson, Gail (8 April 2012). "RANKIN TELLS OF HIS PAINFUL SPLIT ; Celeb chef says ex-wife Jeanne is still a good friend". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 2 September 2012. (subscription required)
  13. ↑ Mulgrew, John (9 April 2012). "Waitress and the dishwasher who met by chance". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 2 September 2012. (subscription required)
  14. ↑ Mulgrew, John (9 April 2012). "Waitress and the dishwasher who met by chance". Belfast Telegraph via HighBeam Research. Retrieved 2 September 2012. (subscription required)
  15. ↑ Celebrity chef tells of seven-year torment addicted to morphine Daily Telegraph 24 September 2005
  16. ↑ "Sometimes maybe my dad recognises me – but I don't think that he does". Sunday Life via HighBeam Research. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012. (subscription required)
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