General Manager of Zambrero Ireland Darragh Fanning on his life in food

Former rugby player Darragh Fanning traded in his Leinster togs back in 2015 to bring Mexican-inspired fast food restaurant Zambrero from Australia to Ireland.

Here, Darragh shares his life in food…

What are your earliest memories of food?

I always remember my granny’s steak and kidney pie.

How would you describe your relationship with food?

I just love my food.

What was the first meal you learned to cook?

When I was about 10, we had Italian students staying over who taught me how to make carbonara from scratch.

How did food become a part of your career?

A friend, and now business partner, proposed a business opportunity to bring Zambrero to Ireland. It’s a product I really believed in, as I was a massive fan of Zambrero while in Australia.

What’s your go-to breakfast?

I keep it simple with poached eggs, toast and avocado.

If you’re impressing friends and family at a dinner party, what are you serving up?

I always like to try new things when cooking for people so it could be anything from roasts and BBQs to casseroles.

What would your last meal on earth be?

Zambrero — Pork Dos Capas with Chipotle.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

I love to order Saba To Go for my comfort takeaway food.

What’s the go-to quick meal you cook when you’re tired and hungry?

Again, it’s super simple. Eggs and toast.

What is one food or flavour you cannot stand?

There isn’t much I don’t eat, and I’m always happy to try new foods.

Hangover cure?

Bacon breakfast burrito from Zambrero with Verde sauce. It’s probably our most underrated dish on the menu, you have to try it next time you are in need of a hangover cure.

Sweet or savoury?

Savoury for me!

Fine dining or pub grub?

Pub grub all the way.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

Host in Ranelagh.

Best coffee in Ireland?

Thru the Green (oat milk flat white).

Go-to beverage accompaniment?

Coffee and a pastry. I love my pastries. Danish is the go-to or anything from Bread 41.

What are your thoughts on the Irish foodie scene?

Really good, the Dublin food scene is really strong with a mix of different cuisines. It has changed a lot since I was a kid.

What’s your favourite thing about cooking?

I spend most Saturday afternoons in the winter cooking while watching rugby or sports on TV. I find it’s a good method to switch off.

What does food — sitting down to a meal with friends, mindfully preparing a meal, nourishment, etc — mean to you?

While playing rugby, nourishment/fuel from my meals was a massive part of my life, but while I still try to keep a healthy diet, I love a good meal and some glasses of red wine with family or friends

Food for thought — Is there room for improvement within the Irish food/restaurant/hospitality scene?

We could do more with food trucks and more permanent food markets like you see around Europe. Marina Market is a place I love to visit when in Cork.

Chef’s kiss — Tell us about one standout foodie experience you’ve had recently.

My dad’s birthday dinner at Gigi’s in Ranelagh. We were served by the owner Rudy who really made the night. We had a fantastic night with great food and atmosphere. A place I highly recommend to go with a group of people, as they always have a great atmosphere.

Compliments to the chef — Now’s your chance to sing the praises of a talented chef, beloved restaurant or particularly talented foodie family member.

My aunty Helen was famous for her birthday cakes when we were kids. Whatever we were into at the time. we would get a birthday cake in that theme – from Scooby Doo to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She even made a volcano with dinosaurs for my brother one year that erupted with lava when they lit the candles!

Secret ingredient — What, in your estimation, makes the perfect dining experience?

The atmosphere set by staff always sets the tone for a great meal. Customer service is something we really try to encourage staff at Zambrero to focus on and give their full attention to each customer.

Feature image by Callum Murphy, Bad Coyote. Foodie imagery by Lorna Caulfield, Dished Creative.