Chef Paul Cunningham Puts Passion Back on the Plate

Chef Paul Cunningham, based in Dundrum, County Down, walks the walk like no chef we’ve ever met before. The owner of “slow food fast food” Scopers in Dundrum Village and the upscale pop-up Mourne Larder, Cunningham sources all of his food from within a 15 mile radius and never sets foot in a grocery store. His business model puts his ethos into practice in a way we’ve never seen, and he’s successfully bridging the gap between consumers and thoughtfully grown, regenerative food at affordable price points—all while shining a spotlight on the Mournes where he was raised and creating insanely delicious, Michelin quality cuisine.

We spoke to Paul about what ethical sourcing looks like in practice; making local, sustainable food approachable & affordable food for the average diner; how chefs have a responsibility to be stewards of the land; secret dining; and the limits of growth for a successful business.

Photo courtesy of Paul Cunningham.

Dyed Green is a project of Bog & Thunder, whose mission is to highlight the best of Irish food and culture, through food tours, events, and media. Find out more at www.bogandthunder.com.

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