The EMPOWER Culinary Challenge brought together 14 talented women from across Aramark Ireland to compete
Aramark Ireland is proud to announce chefs Rosilei Mattos and Julia de Souza from the Guinness Storehouse as the winners of the EMPOWER Culinary Challenge 2026, following an inspiring and fiercely competitive showcase that highlighted the very best of female culinary talent across the organisation.
A Showcase of Female Culinary Talent
The EMPOWER Culinary Challenge brought together 14 talented women from across Aramark Ireland to compete in Croke Park in a dynamic, high‑pressure environment designed to champion innovation, leadership, and sustainability in professional kitchens.
Rosilei and Julia secured the top title with a standout dish featuring sweet potato fondant, courgette with wild garlic, leek emulsion, crisp vegetable bhaji, and layered pomegranate textures. They impressed the judging panel with their creativity, teamwork, and commitment to sustainable cooking practices, emerging as standout winners from an exceptionally strong field.
Supporting the Next Generation of Culinary Leaders
The EMPOWER initiative supports emerging talent within the foodservice and hospitality sectors, fostering innovation, technical skill development, and diversity in Irish culinary arts. By elevating standards and promoting excellence, the competition contributes to the continued growth of the industry and enhances Ireland’s reputation for quality dining experiences within the wider tourism landscape.
The annual competition focuses on promoting gender equality in professional kitchens, fostering female leadership, and embedding sustainable practices into culinary operations. Participants were assessed across five key pillars: creativity, technical skill, teamwork, presentation, and sustainability.
Judges Praise Exceptional Standards
The dishes were evaluated by a panel of senior industry leaders, bringing together expertise from across culinary excellence, sustainability, and commercial strategy. The judging panel included Derek Reilly, Culinary Director at Aramark Ireland, (who was the Chairperson of Judges) Sinéad Corbally, Sustainability Manager; Marie Smyth, Head of Business Sales Development; and Sarah McDonnell, Key Account Manager. Together, they evaluated entries against the competition criteria to select the winning team.
The judges praised the exceptionally high standard demonstrated by all competitors, highlighting the depth of talent and professionalism across Aramark Ireland’s culinary teams.
Speaking about the winners, Derek Reilly said:
“The standard demonstrated throughout this year’s EMPOWER Culinary Challenge has been nothing short of exceptional. Rosilei and Julia delivered a dish that reflected technical excellence, creativity, and a genuine commitment to sustainability. Competitions like EMPOWER are vital in creating visibility, confidence, and leadership opportunities for women across our organisation.”
Through initiatives such as EMPOWER, Aramark Ireland continues to invest in the development of female talent, strengthen sustainable culinary practices, and create meaningful career pathways across the foodservice and hospitality sectors.
