The return of the Chef Series
Portuguese Chef of the Year Hugo Alves joins Chad Byrne at The Brehon for fifth Chef Series dining experience
Danú Restaurant, The Brehon Hotel & Spa, Killarney – Saturday 17th October 2026
The Brehon Hotel & Spa has announced the return of its acclaimed Brehon Chef Series, with an exciting one-night culinary collaboration set to bring the flavours of northern Portugal and County Kerry together at Danú Restaurant on Saturday, 17th October. The event will see Hugo Alves join The Brehon’s Executive Chef Chad Byrne in the kitchen for a special evening celebrating the flavours, ingredients and culinary traditions of northern Portugal and County Kerry.
Every culinary scene has a moment when tradition meets bold reinvention. Ireland has long celebrated its produce-driven kitchens. Portugal has quietly built one of Europe’s most dynamic fine-dining landscapes. This exclusive guest chef collaboration dinner places two of their leading voices side by side for the first time — right in the heart of Danú at The Brehon.
Alves will cook alongside The Brehon’s own Executive Chef, Chad Byrne, whose ingredient-led modern Irish cooking has earned him national recognition, including Best Chef in Kerry and two AA Rosettes. Known for his passion for exceptional local produce, Byrne’s cooking draws inspiration from Kerry’s farms, sea and wild larder, transforming seasonal ingredients into refined and memorable dishes while maintaining the warmth of Irish hospitality at the heart of the dining experience.
Alves is executive chef at NORMA in Guimarães, Portugal and was named ‘Cozinheiro do Ano 2021’ (Chef of the Year 2021). After time in high profile kitchens and Michelin recognition including a Bib Gourmand, he returned to his roots in northern Portugal to build a restaurant balancing technical precision with product-focused cooking. His style is clean, creative and closely tied to the land and the Atlantic coast.
On Saturday 17th October at Danú Restaurant at The Brehon, the two chefs will design a collaborative menu that feels like a conversation between two landscapes: the green, Atlantic-kissed fields and waters of County Kerry meeting the rugged, sun-warmed produce and seafood of northern Portugal.
Expect dishes that showcase Byrne’s signature approach to local fish and foraged elements alongside Alves’ refined take on Portuguese classics — think slow-cooked octopus with new potatoes and citrus, Kerry lamb with subtle Portuguese spice notes, and vegetable preparations that highlight both chefs’ obsession with seasonality and texture.
The event marks the fifth instalment of The Brehon Chef Series, which was created to bring celebrated chefs, unique flavours and culinary artistry to Killarney through a series of exclusive dining experiences.
From Portugal to Kerry: An Evening with Chef Hugo Alves takes place at Danú Restaurant, The Brehon Hotel & Spa, Muckross Road, Killarney, on Saturday 17 October 2026, from 6.00pm.
Tickets are €70 per person for the six-course tasting menu and are available via the link below:
From Portugal to Kerry: An Evening with Chef Hugo Alves | The Brehon Hotel