Dublin chef Colin Fassnidge in the kitchen at 4 Fourteen in Surry Hills. (Pic: Ali Novis)

Colin Fassnidge is a busy man.

The Dublin-born chef, who has been behind the food at Paddington’s Four In Hand since 2005, is now spinning the plates at The Paddington Arms Hotel and the recently launched 4 Fourteen in Surry Hills.

The Four In Hand was listed for sale by commercial real estate agency Spencer-Carr Property in June.

But Mr Fassnidge said the restaurateurs were merely testing the market.

“We put it up for sale to see what we could get for it. They were offered $9m before the recession,” he told the Irish Echo.

Riding on the Four In Hand’s goodwill and one-hat status, new project 4 Fourteen is now taking up the lion’s share of his time.

The new Crown St restaurant received a warm four-star review from TimeOut in May.

Reviews, however, are not something that Fassnidge gets caught up on.

“It helps, but I think we’ve been around long enough that people know we have got a good brand.”

Nor is he letting his recent turn on Masterchef edge him towards celebrity chef status.

“People have got to know who you are, but I don’t want to end up on celebrity apprentice chasing golden tickets or something.”