Appointment recognises two decades of championing Irish food provenance, local producers and a more integrated approach to culinary tourism
Margaret Jeffares, Founder and CEO of Good Food Ireland®, has been appointed by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke to the Culinary Delivery Stream, the national group providing strategic guidance and oversight for the development of Ireland’s new Culinary Tourism Strategy.
Led by Fáilte Ireland, the strategy aims to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a leading food and drink destination, connecting local food production with hospitality and tourism while creating opportunities for sustainable, year-round visitor growth across the country.
Margaret joins a group of industry leaders representing Ireland’s food, drink, hospitality and tourism sectors, chaired by former Tourism Ireland CEO Paul O’Toole, alongside Vice-Chairs Anna Haugh and Pat Rigney.
The appointment comes at a significant milestone for Margaret and Good Food Ireland®, which this year celebrates 20 years of championing a vision that places Irish food and drink, its provenance and the people behind it at the heart of the country’s tourism offering.
Commenting on her appointment, Margaret Jeffares said:
“When I established Good Food Ireland 20 years ago, my vision was to make authentic Irish food and drink an integral part of Ireland’s tourism identity, while ensuring that the people who produce our food were recognised and valued as central to that experience.
“I have always believed that our food story begins long before it reaches the plate. It starts with our farmers, fishermen, growers and food producers, whose knowledge, skill and commitment are fundamental to the quality, authenticity and distinctiveness of Irish food.
“For Ireland to realise its full potential as a world-class culinary tourism destination, we must recognise the value of the entire food chain and create stronger connections between primary food production, hospitality and tourism. Culinary tourism must do more than attract visitors; it must also create meaningful opportunities for our producers, support local food communities and strengthen regional economies.
“I look forward to bringing this perspective and 20 years of experience to the Culinary Delivery Stream, helping to ensure that Irish food, its people, provenance and places remain at the heart of our national culinary tourism ambition.”
Championing an integrated approach to food tourism
Over the past two decades, Good Food Ireland® has championed an integrated approach to food tourism, connecting farmers, fishermen, growers, food producers, chefs and hospitality providers through a distinctive all-island framework. Its work has consistently highlighted the importance of provenance, authenticity, quality and sustainability, demonstrating how Ireland’s food culture can create distinctive visitor experiences while supporting local enterprise and communities.
As Ireland develops its next chapter of culinary tourism, these principles remain central to building a distinctive and internationally recognised food destination, one that celebrates not just what is on the plate, but the people, places, landscape and traditions that bring Irish food to life.
The appointment coincides with the Good Food Ireland® 20th Anniversary Celebration & Gala Awards Ceremony, taking place at the InterContinental Dublin on Monday, 16 November 2026.
Good Food Ireland® 20th Anniversary Celebration
The milestone event will recognise excellence across Ireland’s food, drink, hospitality and culinary tourism sectors, celebrating the businesses, producers and individuals whose work champions Irish produce, provenance, sustainability and authentic food and drink experiences.
The anniversary celebration and awards ceremony is held in association with FBD Insurance and proudly supported by Bord Bia, Fáilte Ireland, BIM, Tourism Ireland, Allfresh, AIB, Guinness Storehouse, Waterford, Kerrygold, Le Tenute Leone Alato, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA), amongst others.
More about Good Food Ireland®: goodfoodireland.ie
