RTÉ2
Introducing the Maître D‘ for First Dates Ireland – Mateo Saina
Cupid’s arrow is set to hit Irish shores later this spring when the much-loved dating show First Dates Ireland comes to RTÉ2. With the restaurant doors poised to open, it’s time to reveal the man at the helm of the Irish First Dates restaurant; Ireland’s maître d’ – Mateo Saina.
Originally from Croatia, Mateo cut his teeth in the restaurant business in Austria and Italy, before moving to Dublin in 2004 to take up a position at ‘Browns on the Green’. Falling instantly in love with the city and its people, Mateo has lived here ever since. During his time in Ireland Mateo has worked with top chefs Kevin Thornton and Conrad Gallagher and is currently maître d’ at Dylan McGrath’s newest restaurant, ‘Taste’.
As maître d’ for the First Dates Ireland restaurant, Mateo will be on hand to welcome hopeful singletons from across the country as they arrive in their pursuit to find love. He will play cupid and put the daters at their ease giving romance every opportunity to blossom.
Speaking about his new role Mateo said; “I am so excited to be involved with First Dates Ireland. From my experience, I can tell whether people on a date are confident or not, whether they are nervous, and my job is to help them feel relaxed. Everyone that walks into this restaurant deserves a chance to find love, that’s what First Dates is all about. It’s a great feeling to see two people making a connection and if I can help make this happen, then that’s my job done.”
Also commenting on the new show Linda Cullen, Head of Television with COCO Television said; “We are thrilled to be involved in the making of such a sweet, entertaining and hugely successful format and have had such fun meeting all our daters and filming their first dates. First Dates Ireland is all about love and that’s been uppermost in our minds throughout the production process. Love and storytelling, in spades, made especially for an RTÉ2 audience.”
Mateo will make his television debut this Saturday when he briefly takes to the airwaves to promote the upcoming series during the RBS Six Nations on RTÉ2.
First Dates Ireland will air on RTÉ2 later this spring. Exact broadcast details will be announced closer to transmission date.
#FirstDatesIRL
For press queries:
Melanie O’Connor, Press Officer, RTÉ Television, 01 208 2787 / 086 401 6053 melanie.o’connor@rte.ie