Mortified Irish J1 Student Didn’t Recognise Leo Varadker When He Visited Her Workplace

Of all the things to happen on a J1, this one is painfully unforgettable. 

Emma Kelly was working away in Barcocina restaurant in Chicago when none other than Taoiseach Leo Varadker strolled in looking for a table. 

And while most Irish people would recognise his face from a mile away… Emma did not and proceeded to ask him whether he was Irish or not. 

Leo varadkar comes into our restaurant in Chicago, first I ask is he Irish then I put him on a wait list and then I put him at a tiny table

— Emma Kelly (@__Emmax3) August 14, 2017

After leaving him waiting for a while, she finally placed him at a “tiny table”. 

She told Independent.ie that she realised her mistake when her friend and coworker pointed out that the Taoiseach was sitting outside their workplace. 

“He was honestly so sound, I’m a public disgrace.”

The gals posed for a “painfully awkward” picture with Varadker: