‘Iron Chef’ beats the odds to win top US honour

A DUBLIN dad, who beat the odds in overcoming a life threatening disease, has been named a

‘Father of the Year’ in the US city of New Orleans.

Matt Murphy, who is originally from Blackrock, is one of four

“exemplary

? dads who were named New Orleans’ Father of the Year 2013.

Matt, the owner and executive chef at the Irish House, was selected alongside other honourees that include a professor of medicine and an award winning artist.

The New Orleans dads were selected by the National Father’s Day Council, which honours fathers for their outstanding commitment to their children and the values of fatherhood.

They will be honoured at a prestigious dinner and silent auction event in New Orleans on June 13 that is held for the American Diabetes Association.

Executive Chef Matt is described in the honours list as a pioneer in a new breed of culinary artists who expand their prowess far outside the bounds of the kitchen.

“His passion for his craft, his commitment to the Gulf Coast community, his head for innovative business and, of course, that rogue-Irishman approach to cooking are just a few unique facets that shape the character of this respected, dynamic man,

? the dedication reads.

By the age of 14 the former Southsider was working in his grandfather’s restaurant and pastry shop, sharpening his natural aptitude for cooking into a career path.

After studying culinary arts at the prestigious Cathal Brugha College, he embarked on a global adventure working and running some the best restaurants in the world.

“Looking back, I can see that all of my travels, all of those techniques I learned across the globe, were preparing me for my career in New Orleans,

? he said.

“Someone once told me that New Orleans cuisine is more than a fusion of different cooking styles, it’s a fusion of cultures.

?

However, in 2009, Chef Matt was struck with a very rare, life-threatening disease that hospitalised him for three months.

The outpouring of support for the beloved chef from the restaurant community, as well as the public, could only be described as amazing.

With 18-month-old quadruplets and a fifth baby on the way, the

‘Iron Chef’ beat the odds and was home in time to welcome his new baby girl.

After making a triumphant return to the kitchen, Chef Matt immediately got back to the many community programs that are near to his heart.

In June of 2010, exactly one year after the region joined together to put on a phenomenal fundraiser for the hospitalised chef, he returned the favour by organising

‘Chefs for Fishermen and Families’.

This benefit brought together New Orleans’ top restaurants in Grand Isle, Louisiana, one of the areas that suffered the most from the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

In August of 2011, Chef Matt opened The Irish House, his own Irish pub and restaurant.

Since opening, it has been named Best New Restaurant by myNewOrleans.com, one of New Orleans’ Essential Restaurants by nola.eater.com and one of the top four Irish pubs to visit for St Patrick’s Day by Forbes.

He is also involved with numerous charitable organisations but despite his hectic schedule, Chef Matt always has time to spend with his quadruplet five-year-olds, Molly, Margaret, Caroline and Elizabeth and his 3 ½ year-old, Alanna.

“Juggling a full calendar of events is child’s play for a man used to juggling five girls while playing rugby or wrestling,

? his dedication adds.

“The assiduity of his work cannot match his commitment to his family. Through it all the most important things to this unofficial ambassador of Irish culture in New Orleans are to live, laugh, cook and always give back.

?