The late Gearóid Lynch has been described as a "wonderful gentleman" and an "outstanding chef" who will be "sorely missed."
Gearóid Lynch and his wife Tara have been at the helm of The Olde Post Inn in Cloverhill for over 20 years.
The popular chef died on Monday at Cavan General Hospital following an illness.
In 2000 Gearóid won the Euro Toques Baileys Young Chef of the Year.
He held the position of Commissioner General of Euro Toques Ireland for a two year term and was also appointed as a Food Champion for Failte Ireland.
Paying tribute to his long-time friend, celebrity chef Neven Maguire said Gearóid was "hugely passionate about using local produce" and "showcasing rural Ireland for the great food and produce that it has."
He described the award-winning chef as a "family man who was on top of his game," adding that he will be "sorely missed within the food community."
Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Nevin Maguire said: "Gearóid was a gentleman and a brilliant chef, he was one of the finest chefs in the country. What he done for local producers was incredible. He was part of Euro-Toques which is the European Community of Chefs and won the Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year award a few years after myself. He was just on top of his game and he'll be sorely missed within the food community.
"From the first day I met him he always had such a passion for what he done and that came through in his restaurant, his staff and to see what himself and Tara done over the years was just beautiful. He lived and breathed local produce, good food and he was an outstanding chef and restaurateur.
"He evolved his business over the years and he was such an inspiration. Gearóid was hugely passionate about using local produce and showcasing rural Ireland for the great food and produce that we have and he gave people and guests a beautiful experience."
