RICHMOND, VA, July 02, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Matt R. Kirwan has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Kirwan has established himself as a prominent figure in Richmond's culinary landscape, currently serving as the owner and chef of Daisy's at Tredegar since July 2025. In this capacity, he has transitioned primarily into ownership responsibilities, employing an executive chef to lead the kitchen while focusing on day-to-day general management and booking logistics.

Mr. Kirwan oversees high-volume catering operations, organizing events, booking weddings, coordinating parties and managing invoicing. The restaurant operates seven days a week, offering breakfast and lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends, with dinner service reserved for catering, private dining and happy hour buyouts. He also maintains private dining engagements through HomePlate on a limited basis to remain connected to hands-on culinary practice.

Building the team at Daisy's at Tredegar stands as Mr. Kirwan's most significant professional achievement. He takes pride in having assembled a group of approximately 25 employees who have made substantial progress in less than a year of operation, working collaboratively to ensure the business' ongoing success.

Prior to launching Daisy's at Tredegar, Mr. Kirwan founded HomePlate in Richmond in 2023. This private in-home dining and catering venture specialized in transforming clients' homes into restaurants for the evening. He operated HomePlate until the opening of Daisy's, continuing to offer select private dining experiences even after shifting his primary focus to his new restaurant.

From 2020 to 2022, Mr. Kirwan served as executive chef at Grisette Restaurant in Richmond. In this role, he led kitchen operations and contributed to the restaurant's reputation for quality cuisine and innovative menus. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the establishment's culinary direction during his tenure. Between 2018 and 2020, he held the position of chef at The Roosevelt in Richmond.

Between 2017 and 2018, Mr. Kirwan served as Executive Chef at The Shaved Duck in Richmond, where he led the kitchen team and oversaw daily operations. Prior to that, he honed his craft in New York City's fast-paced dining scene, working as a sous chef at Virginia's from 2016 to 2017 and at Little Prince from 2015 to 2016.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Kirwan worked as sous chef at The Rogue Gentlemen from 2014 to 2015, contributing to the restaurant's innovative approach to modern cuisine. He also held dual roles as executive chef and sous chef at Eurasia Wine Bar from 2012 to 2013, where he was responsible for both creative direction and operational oversight.

Mr. Kirwan's foundational experience was gained at The Country Club of Virginia from 2006 to 2011, where he worked as both cook and pool cafe manager. These formative years allowed him to develop essential skills in food preparation, customer service and team leadership.

Throughout his career, Mr. Kirwan has demonstrated expertise in cooking, restaurant ownership and management, an achievement that reflects his dedication and skill in the industry. He began in the industry at age 16 with summer work at The Country Club of Virginia, preparing simple fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches at the ninth hole. He quickly adapted to kitchen operations and demonstrated initiative, leading to continued advancement within the club. Although he later enrolled in culinary school, he did not complete the program because ongoing professional opportunities and promotions accelerated his career without formal certification.

Reflecting on his career, Mr. Kirwan attributes his success to diligent work habits and a commitment never to decline opportunities. Alongside his business partner, Mr. Kirwan strives to make every engagement successful regardless of challenges faced, a philosophy that has shaped his ascent from entry-level positions to restaurant ownership.

Civic engagement is central to Mr. Kirwan's professional identity. He dedicates significant time to volunteering with various charities throughout Richmond, leveraging his culinary expertise for the community's benefit. He supports organizations such as Forward Foundation and Greater Richmond SCAN while also contributing efforts toward initiatives focused on cystic fibrosis research and support. Additionally, he is actively involved with Little Hands by regularly providing dinners and donations for auctions and other fundraising events.

Born in Bronxville New York, Mr. Kirwan maintains a vibrant personal life rooted in sports and music. He enjoys playing pickup basketball, participating in a coed volleyball league and playing pickleball, a sport he has come to appreciate over time. His passion for music includes attending live concerts, an interest stemming from earlier experiences performing in bands.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Mr. Kirwan remains an avid supporter of teams such as the Yankees, Knicks and Jets from his New York upbringing while regularly attending games for the Richmond Flying Squirrels and holding season tickets for Virginia Commonwealth University basketball.

Looking ahead, Mr. Kirwan is actively pursuing business growth alongside a partner who operates another establishment and has aspirations to open additional restaurants while significantly expanding catering operations. Beyond Daisy's at Tredegar, which manages several cafeterias and handles events ranging from intimate gatherings of twenty-five guests to large-scale galas for three hundred, he envisions launching a fine-dining concept that would allow him to return to technical French-Italian cuisine, moving beyond the American staples currently featured on his menu.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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