Gemma Austin

Having impressed with her dessert last year, she is determined more than ever to represent Northern Ireland at the Banquet.

Gemma followed in the footsteps of her mother, who worked as a chef in a local Belfast restaurant and helped mould her love of cooking.

Gemma worked full time at a variety of great establishments, working her way through kitchens, including commis chef to sous chef of a 2 rosette kitchen. She worked at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast (5* hotel) where she rose to head pastry chef, before moving to luxury hotel The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn (4* hotel) where she worked all the sections, eventually becoming sous chef.

Gemma opened her own restaurant, A Peculiar Tea, serving themed dinners and afternoon teas in Belfast. She hopes it celebrates everything that is playful and fun, and a temporary escape from ‘the real world.’ To make sure her dishes are memorable, she often engages all five of the senses, and will send dishes out with music and aromas of things that relate to the plating.

Gemma’s menu celebrates animations by Northern Irish Tomm Moore ‘Songs of the Sea’ and ‘Wolfwalkers’.