There are many people who have influenced, inspired and mentored me over the years but the one who would be a constant would be the boss and owner of Rathsallagh House, Kay O'Flynn. She's one of the most inspirational, determined, beautiful and fun people you could ever come across. She started her business in her kitchen in Rathsallagh and now it's one of the most beautiful, well-run and successful country-house hotels and golf courses in Ireland.

How has she inspired you?

When she started that business she did everything. She'd be out in front of house in a beautiful dress, perfectly made up with a big smile and a glass of champagne in her hand, then back in the kitchen 10 minutes later in an apron. People nowadays think they have stress! She'd have given me advice the odd time but I'd mainly be influenced by her attitude to life. She knows how to treat a problem with a sense of humour.

Give an example One year a group of very well-known, influential and beautiful ladies went to stay in Rathsallagh. A bunch of fancy cars rolled up. The bedrooms were beautiful, the weather was great, they had a great round of golf and everything was going perfectly. But when they came back to get changed before dinner one of the ladies' designer shoes went missing. It turned out that Kay's husband's golden retriever had stolen one of the shoes. When you're dealing with very upscale high-end quality guests, that sort of thing can make or break your reputation. Well not with Kay. The shoe was delivered back to the room on a silver tray with a bottle of champagne and a handwritten letter of apology from the dog. In what other hotel in the world would you lose your Jimmy Choo shoe and have it delivered back to you on a silver tray with a handwritten letter from a dog?

So what's her secret?

She knows that everything is solvable with a sense of humour and a smile. The customer is king. Everybody who goes to Rathsallagh House just loves it because of the way they're treated.