Allianz Chef Steven McDonnell named Aramark’s Chef of the Year in Ireland
Dublin Chef, Steven McDonnell has been named Aramark’s Chef of the Year Ireland which was held recently as part of Food and Bev Live in the City West Convention Centre.
Steven will now go forward to represent Ireland in Aramark’s European Chef’s Cup which will take place in the Olympic Stadium, Berlin this May. There, Steven will face tough competition from fellow country winners from across Aramark’s European network as they are each tasked with creating a winning three-course menu from a list of specified ingredients.
Frank Gleeson, Region Managing Director Northern Europe said, “Our mission is to deliver experiences that enrich and nourish lives and competitions like these give our Chefs an opportunity to demonstrate their passion for food, we are delighted with all the extremely high standard of all the dishes and Steven is most deserved winner. “
Derek Reilly, Culinary Director, Aramark said “Steven’s menu of Pork meatloaf roulade served with a bean cassoulet and butternut squash puree and a chocolate torte with salted ice cream, was sublime. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with at the Aramark European Chef’s Cup in May and we all wish him the best of luck.”
A Chef with over 24 years’ experience, Steven currently works with Allianz in their Headquarters in Dublin 4. Since joining Allianz in July 2015, Steven has been at the forefront of the transformation of their food service, developing unique menus specifically for the site.
In March 2015, Aramark secured a three year contract with Allianz Ireland to operate the on-site restaurant, serving more than 600 staff members each day. With a focus on fresh and healthy food, the new restaurant was inspired by popular food destinations in Dublin and London in its menus and overall design. Aramark also developed a new service area, which allowed for greater ease of access and service for customers.
Pictured with Frank Gleeson, Region Managing Director Northern Europe and Derek Reilly, Culinary Director, Aramark, are competitors in this year’s Aramark Chef of the Year competition including this year’s winner, Steven McDonnell
Prior to working with Aramark, Steven worked for leading tech multinationals Ebay and Paypal, as well as many prestigious restaurants around the world including Berman and Wallace, the Four Seasons hotel in Sydney Australia and Peacock Alley, training under Conrad Gallagher.
Aramark is a leader in food, facilities, property management, and energy services. The company is one of the continent’s largest USmultinational employers with more than 33,000 associates throughout Ireland, UK, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic and Spain with offices in Dublin, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Prague and Barcelona.
