Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Chef Brian Duffy had his first experiences in the kitchen as a young child with his big Irish-Italian Family. Those experiences introduced him to culinary life and led him to study at Philadelphia’s The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Culinary school may have taught him technique, but it was those Sunday nights cooking with his family where he developed his passion.
After graduation, Chef Duffy worked under James Beard Award winning Chef Jean Marie LaCroix at The Four Seasons in Philadelphia. From there, he partnered in opening Kristopher’s, a BYOB concept that received widespread critical acclaim. It was through opening his own brick and mortar that Duffy began to realize his flair for refined, modernized pub fare and coined the term “New Celtic” cuisine. Duffy brought his “New Celtic” point of view to the Dave Magrogan Group as their Corporate Executive Chef for their brands. Following his successful tenure with DMG, Duffy joined forces with Seafood America as a consultant and Executive Chef, where he developed fresh and frozen products for grocery chains across the world.
Duffy formed “Duffified Experience Group” in 2012, a consulting firm with the realization that most of the smaller restaurant & bar operators that are out there needed someone who spoke their language & worked the way that they do. Through this firm Duffy has been able to work & oversee restaurants, bars & nightclubs around the globe. The motto of “Redefining the economics of foodservice” has given Duffy & all of his clients a new lease on their business and their lives. On and off camera, Chef Duffy works with restaurants across the country updating their menus and coaching them through much needed facelifts. His proven success has made him one of the most in demand restaurant and hospitality consultants across North America and overseas
Duffy is currently working on his new concept Flying Fish Crafthouse an 8000 square foot restaurant in the Historic Brewerytown section of Philadelphia, Duffy has taken his skills from the last 20 years of his career & created a new approach to the Urban American Eatery. By utilizing the original interior of the building, the stories behind the reclaimed bars & table tops & adding to that a mix of Great food & locally sourced beer form the famed Flying Fish Brewery just over the bridge in nearby New Jersey, Duffy has the perfect blend of old & new in this new space.
Duffy is perhaps most recognized from his abundant television appearances on the wildly popular Spike TV series Bar Rescue, where he tours the country (sometimes on his Harley Davidson) reforming failing bars and restaurants with his “tell it like it is” style. He made his on-camera debut on the Food Network series Date Plate and has appeared on countless segments on the DIY Network, HGTV, NBC, and Fine Living Network. Chef Duffy is also a regular to judge the Food Network series Beat Bobby Flay and has appeared on The Today Show since 2006 for the St. Patrick’s Day Irish cook-off. Chef Duffy even has his own line of signature spices, “Duffified Spice” as well as a line of T-Shirts, Kitchen aprons, Hats & chef driven Hand soaps which are all available on his website duffified.com.
Currently Duffy has collaborated with Radio Influence of Tampa and created “Duffified Live” a travel show with an over the top approach to eating, drinking & traveling has taken off due to his attitude & stories from the road, the industry & his personal life & stories. When he isn’t with clients, taping or traveling he is working on his soon-to-be-released modern gastropub cookbook or hanging out with his family & friends in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
Listen to the Duffified Live archives on Radio Influence or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and on Google Play.
Follow Chef Brian Duffy on Twitter @Chefbriduff.