13 Facts About Paul Rankin

In 1989 Paul Rankin opened Roscoff, the restaurant that was to become the first to win a Michelin Star in Northern Ireland.

In 2009 it was reported that Paul Rankin had sold most of the Paul Rankin Group to cover business debts, leaving only the flagship Cayenne restaurant under his control, although this too was under negotiation as part of an IVA.

However, the restaurant finally closed on Sunday 24 March 2013 with Paul Rankin citing the economic climate and disruptive protests in the city as being two of the reasons for the closure.

In 1999 Paul Rankin was the first chef from Northern Ireland to be awarded a Michelin Star.

Paul Rankin has written five cookery books and ran The Rankin Group chain of restaurants and cafes, including Cayenne and Roscoff in Belfast.

In 2006 Paul Rankin competed in the Northern Ireland heat of the BBC's Great British Menu, a competition to cook for the Queen on her 80th birthday.

In 2006, Paul Rankin appeared on The X Factor: Battle of the Stars, along with fellow chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli, Aldo Zilli and Ross Burden.

Paul Rankin has appeared on the TV programme Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Paul Rankin Selection extended to pork sausages, produced by the Northern Irish manufacturer Finnebrogue.

Paul Rankin supported a campaign to keep Finnebrogue's venison factory open when it was threatened with closure, saying it was "world class and something for Northern Ireland to be proud of".

Paul and Jeanne Rankin were married for more than 25 years.

Paul Rankin started there as a dishwasher, while she started as a waitress.

Paul Rankin revealed that his father is suffering from the disease and no longer recognises him.