Sunday was an afternoon tea party hosted by the Ellis family near Crumlin, the day before the scattering of ashes on Lower Lough Erne, then Monday, sailing on the Commandant Charcot, the only luxury ice breaker in the world.
The connection between the sadness and gladness of these happenings? The late beloved singer and broadcaster Candy Devine.
Candy’s son Alistair McLeod and his family travelled from Brisbane Australia to reunite her with her husband Don McLeod in their last resting place in Ross Lough Lower Lough Erne, a favourite family holiday place. As they gathered by the lake, Alistair, his wife Ashleigh, daughter Bailie and granddaughter Clancy, his daughter Sasha, a singer songwriter just like her grandmother, joined them from Melbourne by Zoom. At Sunday’s tea party he met up with many of his mother’s friends and the craic waved in and out of past memories.
Celebrity chef Alistair McLeod, Candy Devine’s son, in the kitchen of his company, Al’FreshCo, Brisbane
Candy’s birthplace was Cairns, Queensland Australia; born Faye Guevara, when only nine she was performing in her parents’ dance club in the Regal Dance Hall where, she reported, it was ‘all blacks’.
“Such was the fun that soon white patrons joined in, and the diet of discrimination was broken down. Years later my producer changed my name to Candy Devine which I didn’t want, I told him people will think I’m a stripper!” But the name stuck and became widely recognised in many venues around the world and Alistair grew up in that positive performance ethos, so the showbiz gene passed to him.
Her eye for presentation, sourcing the best ingredients, be it for songs or interviews and importantly, engaging with the public, have all been Alistair’s inheritance, now a Brisbane-based celebrity chef.
Having spent half her life in Northern Ireland, Candy moved back to Australia in 2013 following the death of her husband the previous year
— Anne Hailes
“Ours was always a party house in Belfast so, when I was growing up, there were friends coming and going and Faye was always cooking, and she was a great cook, I suppose I have the gene!”
Certainly he caught Candy’s enthusiasm for life and her work ethic.
Enjoying the Sunday gathering, Alistair McLeod and his daughter Bailie with Candy Devine’s self-portrait in the back ground
Although she was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and to the community of Northern Ireland, she didn’t intend staying here. In 1969 she came for a short visit but fate took a hand. She was offered a slot at the Talk of the Town cabaret club where she meet and married promoter Donald McLeod. She was already known in Ireland through her appearances in TV show Skippy the Bush Kangaroo and a household name when she joined Downtown Radio, staying for almost 40 years.
“I thank God for the ride,” she said when interviewed before her death in Brisbane on Halloween night 2024. She was 85 years of age.
Having spent half her life in Northern Ireland, Candy moved back to Australia in 2013 following the death of her husband the previous year. She was happy, back home with her family, sharing a five-acre property with her son, Alastair and her grandchildren.
Candy Devine’s family scattered her ashes in Lower Lough Erne
Alistair had made a name for himself and he’s very proud of his heritage. When he was 19 he worked in Belfast with chef Paul Rankin at Roscoff restaurant. He toured the continent before going to Australia to visit the place where his mother was born. He soon decided to stay and got work in the catering trade. Since then he has become a celebrity chef and although, not too keen on the celebrity tag, he knows that it helps him get his message of good cooking across.
“I just want to make people happy and keep building a business, especially with the 2032 Olympics coming to Melbourne, we are planning something special.“
Melbourne is a vibrant, young city and ‘eating out’ is part of life. However, Alistair has carved out a company, Al’FreshCo, that instead goes to the client, catering for intimate parties, for weddings or up to 1,000 people at a function.
Candy Devine when she first came from performing in London to sing in cabaret clubs in Belfast
“It’s performance at the end of the day and everything is local, I know all the producers and their families, all things I learned from mum and dad. I enjoy appearing on morning television and cooking a 10 minute slot straight to camera, engaging the viewer, challenging them to try new dishes.”
His TV programmes include Ready Steady Cook and Queensland Weekender, a lifestyle show featuring travel and food. His journey on the ice breaker last week wasn’t just for fun. As they sailed through the Arctic waters, true to form, he was giving cooking classes and preparing special dishes for the passengers.
“Roasted scallops with ginger and, of course, raw fish. My own favourite is Dutch cream potatoes, they make me think of home, champ is like eating my heritage. I want to provide food that delights rather than trying to impress, make it delicious and have lots of it. Add Irish hospitality and you are going to succeed.”
His mother taught him well!
Dining and Cooking