TV chef Kevin Dundon has ruled out running in the presidential election but would be up for meeting political parties — to see what’s cooking.
The 58-year-old was the breakout star of Dancing With The Stars 2025 — impressing viewers with his positivity and personality.
Now all eyes are on Kev to see if the man dubbed ‘the dad of DWTS’ can follow in the same footsteps as other TV stars who have crossed over into politics.
The 2022 winner of DWTS, former jockey Nina Carberry, used her telly popularity to launch a political career and was elected as an MEP for Fine Gael.
And Sean Gallagher, star of RTE’s Dragons’ Den, nearly became President.
In his first interview since DWTS ended, the Dunbrody chef confirmed he would be willing to talk to political parties.
Kevin told The Irish Sun: “I would absolutely have a meeting with them. For sure, definitely.
“I’m not even saying I am going into politics but yes I’d have a meeting.”
The chef who has cooked for US Presidents and the late Queen Elizabeth II admits he has a few traits that could be useful to be a politician.
‘HOUSING IS AN ISSUE’
He told us: “I love people and I love talking to people. I like helping people — I am heavily involved with a charity in Africa helping kids through education.”
He also has some views on the problems facing Ireland today.
Kev continued: “I’d like to bring fairness, like housing is a huge issue. I think Ireland as a whole is a great country and I think we are doing well.
“We are strong and prosperous at the moment but we also need to bring in people and because of that, the population is growing and hospitals can’t cater for the population as fast as it’s growing — nor can our housing.
“I think all the infrastructure in Ireland really needs to be looked at. The biggest issue we have is to facilitate all the people we need to run our country.”
But as to whether Kevin, like Nina Carberry, might seriously consider a move into politics, he adds: “I could probably answer that question better in two or three weeks’ time, when I have had more time to think about it.”
ARAS BID
However, the dad-of-three has ruled himself out of the next major political race in Ireland — to be the President when Michael D. Higgins steps down.
Kevin told us: “I wouldn’t mind living in the Phoenix Park and there’s quite a bit of hospitality and feeding people involved.
“But to be President of Ireland, you’d want to be in the political arena already, which I’m not.”
However, you need popular appeal and stamina to be a politician — which Kevin proved he had, winning his way through to the quarter-finals with his pro dance partner Rebecca Scott.
Kevin said: “I think what struck a chord was I didn’t mind being on the bottom of the scoreboard and I improved every week with hard practice.
“I think people liked that I didn’t take it too seriously and that I had fun”.
Before going straight into politics, the TV chef’s next moves include a second season of his Under The Grill podcast and designing two kitchens for a castle in Tipperary.
Kevin added: “Architecture and cheffing are my two big passions”
