Biography

James Devine, a Tyrone native, began his career in the hospitality industry relatively late. Following a last-minute decision to turn down a place at Queens University in Belfast to study law, he instead pursued a career as a chef.  James enrolled in Belfast Metropolitan college where he completed his basic NVQ before continuing his study, gaining a degree in culinary arts and food science and later his teaching qualifications.

James spent several years working in his home town of Dungannon where he occupied senior head chef positions at Deli on the Green and The Black Cat Restaurant. During this period James enjoyed short stints in Michelin star restaurants across Belfast, Dublin, London and New York.  This enthusiasm for cooking at the highest levels resulted in a decision to join Michael Deane’s restaurant Eipic in Belfast, where he was sous chef under Danielle Barry for over 2 years.  During this time the team gained and maintained the coveted Michelin star, one of only two restaurants in Northern Ireland who hold this accolade.

With over ten years’ experience James now boasts some impressive titles, such as All Ireland Young Chef of the Year 2009 and the Northern Ireland Senior Chef of the Year 2012.  As well as making it to the quarter finals of the BBC’s Master Chef Professionals series.  James was most recently awarded the UK National Chef of the Year 2017.  The competition is considered the most prestigious and most coveted title of its kind. 

In the tense final James saw off stiff competition from ten finalists representing restaurants including Restaurant Gordon Ramsey and Petrus to win the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition.  The brief focused on core culinary skills which were judged by a forty strong panel, chaired by renowned London Chef Clare Smyth.  As the winner, James is now part of the National Chef of the Year 'Hall of Fame', which represents culinary excellence and offers the chance to meet and work with some of the most exciting industry names.

James now joins the list of winners which include: Gordon Ramsey, Mark Sargeant, Alyn Williams and David Everitt-Matthias

The prize has been an enriching experience which has saw James travel to Switzerland where he gained a professional diploma in coffee tasting at the Nespresso chef’s academy.  In addition, the Craft Guild National Chef of the Year prize included the opportunity to become an author with the limited production of James’ very own cook book, ‘From my kitchen to Yours.’

Since joining the list of previous winners James has enjoyed an ambassadorial role working with companies such as LIDL, Sodexo and Knorr performing cooking demonstrations to hundreds of people and acting as guest judge for younger chef competitions.  Working with the future generations of young chefs is something James places importance on, he works closely with South West College Dungannon, where he is an active culinary lecturer.

After leaving Deane’s Eipic in January 2017, James joined Noble Restaurant in Holywood, county Down which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand during his time there.  

Most recently James had the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland on BBC’s Great British Menu.  This was the thirteenth year of the competition series, and saw James fulfil a personal ambition of his own, being a fan since the programme’s inception.