Billy Gallagher

Who is Billy Gallagher?

Billy Gallagher, is a chef and businessman in South Africa.

After having worked at The Dorchester in London, Gallagher arrived in South Africa in 1973 to take up an executive sous-chef position with local hotel chain Southern Sun.

In 1982, Gallagher was elected president of the South African Chefs Association, and held that position for 21 years before becoming its honorary life president in 2003. In 1996, he became president of the World Association of Chefs Societies, and in 2000 its honorary life president.

In 2000 he survived an attempted hijacking, which left him paralysed as a quadriplegic.

He is currently Chairman of the School for Tourism and Hospitality Studies, in Johannesburg, Executive Director for the Centre for Culinary Excellence in Johannesburg, and Director of Communication and PR for the Southern Sun Hotel Group in Johannesburg.

Gallagher has earned a Doctorate of Culinary Arts from the Johnson & Wales University, Miami.