[6][7] The series featured Conrad Gallagher, the youngest ever chef to win a Michelin star,[8] and aired from 8 April 2011 to 27 May 2011.

His signature dish is green pea risotto, pan seared hake with roasted root vegetables and a celeriac puree, apple tart tartan with whiskey and vanilla ice cream.

His favorite kitchen implement is a whisk and his ultimate ambition is to provide a good quality of life for his family.

His signature dish is chorizo risotto with poached runny egg on the top, pan fried sea bass crushed potato sauce vierge.

Her favorite kitchen implement is a hand blender and her ultimate ambition is to run her own restaurant abroad.

Her favourite kitchen implement is a good knife and Emma's signature dish is red pepper & lime soup and prawn & monkfish curry.

His greatest influences are Marco Pierre White and Jamie Oliver and his favorite kitchen implement is a good knife.

[1][11] After a Master Class with renowned chef Conrad Gallagher on the preparation of Pan Seared Dover Sole with Lemon, Butter, Green Beans & Almonds, contestants were asked to prepare the dish on their own and two contestants were eliminated (Marc Valentine and Jodie Ryder).

Four more contestants were eliminated (Kate, Patrick, Dave Farrell, Garret McCarthy), leaving only 8 finalists.

[1] Eliminated (in order of elimination): Marc Valentine, Jodie Ryder, Ashley O'Driscoll, Gary Byrne, Kate, Patrick, Dave Farrell, Garret McCarthy Contestants were asked to prepare Pumpkin Soup with roasted scallops and Black Trompette Mushrooms and Loin of Lamb with Ratatouille and choice of Couscous.

[1] Eliminated: Jennifer Gary O'Hanlon came to the 5th episode of Head Chef to teach a master class on a crab dish to the contestants.

He has worked in several of the world's most prestigious kitchens and has received over 20 awards and accolades, including a Michelin Star to Great Britain and Ireland.

[13][14][15] Contestants were each asked to prepare a dish from a tasting menu consisting of Celeriac Soup with Salmon and Langoustine, Roasted Scallop and Braised Lamb Shank with Butternut Moussilin, Mushroom Risotto and Duxelle with Shreaded Confit Duck Leg and Roasted Duck Breast, and Mango and Coriander Cheesecake with a Chili and Mango Sorbet for friends and family and 3 top Irish Critics.

[18] The remaining 3 contestants were each asked to prepare two courses from a six course menu consisting of Pan Seared Scallop on a Bed of Celeriac Moussilin with Bacon Crisps (Phillip), Cured Salmon with Pistachio Crust, Potato Salad and Chive (Harry), Butternut Squash Risotto, Loin of Lamb over Tapenade on Toast (Mary), Roast Breast of Duck with Carrot Puree, Trompette Mushroom and Truffle Foam (Phillip), Cubre Libre Jelly with Lime Cream and Cinnamon Tuile (Mary), and Chocolate and Mint Fondant with Strawberry Sorbet, Strawberry Tartar and Apple Crisp (Harry) in Conrad's restaurant, Salon des Sauveurs.

[1] Eliminated: Phillip Matthew Fuller, Bruno Berta, Candice Gallagher The two remaining finalists, Harry Marquart and Mary Scott, face off in the final episode of the series, where they're each asked to prepare a three course meal for a restaurant of 60 VIPs, including Ray Foley, Martin King, Karen Koster, Allen Cantwell, and Elaine Crowley.

Harry prepared Seabass, Pork Belly, Ashed Leeks, Cep Cream for his starter, Braised neck of venison for his main, and Tart Tatin for his dessert.

At the end of the final challenge, Conrad named Harry as Head Chef because of his consistency over the course of the entire series.