Gar Byrne will be tasked with championing BaxterStorey’s focus on sustainable nutrition across the country.
Hospitality business BaxterStorey has appointed Gar Byrne as its first head of food for Ireland, tasked with championing BaxterStorey’s focus on sustainable nutrition across the country.
This is a new role for the business, introduced to provide dedicated leadership for BaxterStorey’s food programme in Ireland, which embeds sustainability, innovation and talent development at the heart of its operations.
BaxterStorey’s business in Ireland encompasses more than 90 contracts and 900 team members, with a turnover of €68 million 2024.
Leading on Sustainability and Culinary Innovation
In this role, Byrne will be responsible for building a team of chefs to deliver the company’s ‘Obsessed Food Manifesto’ culture and values, driving initiatives across menu innovation, local sourcing and sustainable nutrition.
Crucially, this will include championing Irish suppliers, reducing food waste, mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, and ensuring that BaxterStorey’s food offering continues to set industry-leading standards.
Byrne joins the business from Google, where he had been an executive chef for the business’ European headquarters in Dublin and across the EMEA region for the last three years.
Prior to this, he was an executive chef with BaxterStorey for more than five years, during which time he led initiatives across the business designed to drive meaningful change across sourcing, waste reduction, and food innovation.
Shaping the Future of Food in Ireland
Passionate about reducing food waste, single-use plastics and achieving circular food systems, in his new role, Byrne will work with BaxterStorey’s local growers and producers to design seasonal menus that further reduce road miles, support more quality local suppliers and the wider Irish food economy, as well as enhancing a strong, resilient supply chain for BaxterStorey’s operations in Ireland.
He will also be working with chefs across the business, supporting young chefs with their career pathways, helping BaxterStorey chefs to design menus that are both sustainable and creative, and stimulating innovation in the kitchens, including by encouraging collaboration across locations, whether that’s sharing knowledge, recipes or inspiration.
Byrne will lead the company’s sustainable nutrition drive in Ireland, including the rollout of the ’Beans is How’ pledge across the country, with the aim of doubling bean consumption across more than 90 locations by 2028.
Kieran Callinan, managing director, BaxterStorey Ireland, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Gar again. He will bring further synergy and alignment with our UK business so we’re all championing the BaxterStorey Obsessed culture, structured around craft, creativity, community and carbon reduction.By having a senior, Ireland-focused food leader, the business will further strengthen its supply chain, enhance culinary creativity across sites, and deliver a consistent, high-quality, and sustainable food experience across its 90-plus contracts.”
Byrne, added:
“This is my dream role – building a food programme from the ground up, championing our Obsessed Food Manifesto, and guiding our chefs to make smart, sustainable choices.From menu creation to purchasing, we’re putting Irish produce front and centre. Through our Obsessed Lab, we’re inspiring and developing talent, all while working with an incredible team and staying true to our values. I’m excited, proud, and privileged to lead this Obsessed Irish food journey.”
