From a very young age, one of Neven Maguire's favourite pastimes was to shadow his mother in the kitchen, watching her cook. He began experimenting with ingredients in the home kitchen at the tender age of ten and his pastime soon became his passion.

Neven went on to train in some of the highest-profile restaurants in the world and in 2001, Neven took over MacNean Restaurant, turning a local establishment into a national phenomenon. His highly acclaimed MacNean Restaurant Cookbook and hugely popular Nation's Favourite Food and Nation's Favourite Food Fast! were nominated for an Irish Book Award.

In 2014 he won the prestigious title of Best Chef in Ireland at the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards. Neven's passion for the importance of food education is illustrated at the over 100 cookery demonstrations he does all around Ireland and in schools. He lives in Blacklion, Co Cavan with his wife Amelda, and two-year-old twins Connor and Lucia.