GOOD FOOD IRELAND® conference
"Driving Change through Innovation, Sustainability
& Local Connections"
ABOUT the conference
The Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025 on Tuesday, 25th March in host partner Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin is a cross-sector conference on the vital role of Ireland’s agri-food and tourism sectors and the opportunities of cross-sector collaboration in ensuring long-term economic growth and social stability across the island of Ireland. The Conference will also see the official launch of the new Good Food Ireland® Food & Drink Experiences Online Sales Platform.
Attendees will gain valuable insights to enhance customer offer, be inspired to align with evolving consumer trends and learn how to create food, drink and dining experiences that truly resonate. The conference will bring together Farmers, Food and Drink Producers, Chefs, Hoteliers and other representatives from the from the food, farming, tourism and hospitality sectors as well as thought leaders and policymakers to explore the critical intersections of innovation, sustainability and local connections in shaping a resilient and future-proof food tourism ecosystem for business to thrive. It will address how cross-sector collaboration can drive change for good, enhance customer experience and foster economic growth.
Conference sessions
Through a series of expert-led sessions, panel discussions with industry practitioners, attendees will gain actionable insights into creating authentic, sustainable and innovative food and drink tourism offerings that showcase Ireland’s rich culinary heritage and support its diverse local communities.
Key sessions include a systems perspective on building a resilient food system, a consumer-driven exploration of demand for sustainable food and drink experiences, an innovation-focused session on Irish seafood, sustainability practices that connect food, human health and farming and a deep dive into the power of how cross-sector collaboration can support sustainable thriving business and local communities.
wHy attend?
A must attend event for anyone in the food, farming, tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as policymakers and stakeholders invested in shaping the future of food and tourism, sustainable efforts and local food movements.
Restaurateurs, Hoteliers, Chefs, Tourism & Hospitality Professionals:
- Understand how to better resonate with guests who want to feel a part of the food journey. This isn’t just about what’s on the plate; it’s about offering an experience where guests feel they are contributing to something bigger, supporting sustainable practices, local farmers and the broader movement toward more responsible dining.
- Enhance your guest experience by discovering cutting-edge innovations in sustainable food production and regenerative farming, empowering you with the knowledge to incorporate sustainably sourced, local ingredients into your menus.
- Gain valuable insights into consumer trends and the growing demand for authentic, farm-to-table experiences.
- Learn how to craft dining experiences that meet this demand and foster more meaningful, transparent connections with food.
Food & Drink Producers, Farmers & Fishers:
- Gain valuable insights in aligning farming practices with sustainability and consumer demand.
- Hear cutting-edge innovative farming techniques that improve the quality of your produce while reducing environmental impact.
- Explore opportunities to partner with chefs, hoteliers and tourism providers, helping you build stronger connections with the food and hospitality sectors.
- Understand the demand from eco-conscious consumers and how to future proof and expand your business.
Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025
Tuesday, 25th March 2025 Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin
“The Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025 is a must attend event for anyone in the food, farming, tourism and hospitality sectors”.
Don’t miss out on this conference and networking event!
Programme
The Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025 taking place on Tuesday, 25th March in Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin offers a dynamic programme focused on driving cross-sector collaboration, cutting-edge innovation, sustainability growth across Ireland’s food, farming, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with industry leaders and shape your future in Irish food tourism. For full Conference Programme and Individual Session Details,
click on the green tab below…
09.00 am – 10.00am
Registration
10.00am – 10.15am
“Welcome and Opening Remarks”
Moderator: Suzanne Campbell, Broadcaster & Author, Food & Farming, RTE
Margaret Jeffares, Founder & CEO, Good Food Ireland®
“From Farm to Table: Building a Resilient Food System”
Keynote Speaker: Suzanne Campbell, Broadcaster & Author, Food and Farming, RTE
Panel: Una Fitzgibbon, Director of Marketing, Bord Bia
Peter Ward, Country Choice Nenagh, Co Tipperary
Francie Gorman, President, Irish Farmers’ Association
Gary O’ Hanlon, Executive Chef, The K Club
“Meeting the Demands of the Modern Consumer in Food & Tourism”
Keynote Speaker: Alice Mansergh, CEO, Tourism Ireland
Crothur Murphy, Owner Crafted Ireland, Luxury DMC
Paul Cunningham, Scoper’s Dundrum, Co Down
Eoghan Corry, Lead Travel Journalist & Author
Eoghan O Mara Walsh, CEO, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC)
“Innovation in the Irish Food Sector – Unlocking the Potential of Irish Seafood”
Keynote Speaker: JP McMahon, Aniar 2.0. Galway
Paul Ward, Manager, Business Intelligence, BIM
Nicholas Lynch, Owner, Nick’s Fish
John Lynch, CEO, Irish South & East Coast Fish Producers’ Organisation
Joe Manley, Head Chef, Quinlan’s Seafood Bar, Cork
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm
The Meet the Makers Showcase Lunch celebrates Ireland’s rich culinary heritage, featuring a sustainable, locally sourced selection of food and drink from esteemed farmers and producers within the Good Food Ireland® Collection. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to network and continue discussions from the morning sessions.
” Sustainability on the Plate: Linking Food, Human Health and Net Zero in Food Production”
Keynote Speaker: Prof John Gilliland, OBE DSc FRSA FRAgS, Brook Hall Estate, Derry
Diarmuid Donnellan, Head of Sustainability, Agriculture, Food & Fisheries, AIB
Thomas Murray, Agronomist, O’ Shea Farms, Kilkenny
Gareth Mullins, Executive Chef, Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin
Michael Kelly, CEO & Founder, GIY and GROW HQ, Waterford
“Building Authentic Experiences through Collaboration and Community”
Keynote Speaker: Morgan Ging, Owner, Ballykeefe Distillery, Kilkenny
Darina Allen, Co-Founder, Ballymaloe Cookery School, Cork
Martin Buckley, Chef & Owner, The Lifeboat Inn, Cork
Noel Leahy, Leahy Beekeeping, Co Galway
Kevin Kenny, General Manager, Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan
4.30 pm – 5.00 pm
Closing Remarks
Guest of Honour Conference Address & Official Launch of the new Good Food Ireland® Experiences Online Sales Platform.
Martin Heydon, T.D., Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine
Speakers
Moderator
Noel Toolan
Founder at KATALEST
With 45 years of experience in international consumer and business marketing, brand development and business growth, Noel has worked at all levels from operations to board and governmental roles, driving disruptive brand and marketing change. He is the founder and change agent at KATALEST, a global brand and marketing change agency based in Tallinn, Estonia.
KEYNOTE Speaker
Prof John Gilliland OBE DSc FRSA FRAgS
Brook Hall Estate, Derry
John Gilliland is a pioneering sustainable farmer and leader whose Brook Hall Estate, part of the Good Food Ireland® is verified as “Beyond” Net Zero. As Professor of Practice in Agriculture and Sustainability at Queen’s University Belfast he chairs the ARC Zero carbon farming project and helped shape Northern Ireland’s £38m Soil Nutrient Health and LiDAR Scheme. A former Ulster Farmers Union President, he advises governments on climate soil health and sustainability and has spoken at COP29 and global summits.
KEYNOTE Speaker
Alice Mansergh
CEO, Tourism Ireland
Alice leads global efforts to promote the island of Ireland to overseas visitors. With a strong focus on collaboration, she is dedicated to supporting and growing the contribution of overseas tourism to Ireland's economy and communities. Before joining TI, Alice spent 19 years at Google, where she held senior leadership roles. Her extensive experience in commercial strategy, marketing and digital transformation has equipped Alice with a unique perspective on driving growth and innovation in the tourism sector.
KEYNOTE Speaker
JP McMahon
Chef Patron at Aniar 2.0
JP McMahon is a chef, restaurateur and food advocate. He owns Aniar Restaurant, Cava Bodega and the Aniar Boutique Cookery School, part of the Good Food Ireland® Collection and launched JP McMahon Culinary Consultancy in 2022. Passionate about ethical food, he champions local and free-range produce. JP founded Food on the Edge and directs the Galway Food Festival. An ambassador for Irish cuisine, he is a regular contributor to The Irish Times, RTÉ and Newstalk. JP has authored several books, including The Irish Cookbook (2020) and An Alphabet of Aniar (2023).
KEYNOTE Speaker
Suzanne Campbell
Broadcaster & Journalist
Food & Farming, RTE
Suzanne Campbell is an Irish television director, producer and food writer. The Irish Independent has described her as one of "the most important, well-informed voices in Irish food." She produced the television series What Are You Eating?, based on her book "Basket Case: What's Happening to Ireland's Food?"
KEYNOTE Speaker
Morgan Ging
Owner
Ballykeefe Farm Distillery, Kilkenny
Morgan Ging, alongside his wife Anne, owns and operates Ballykeefe Distillery, an eco-friendly, single-estate family farm distillery near Kilkenny, Ireland. Established in 2017, the distillery revives a 200-year-old tradition of on-farm distillation, producing premium spirits with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The Gings' commitment to quality and environmental responsibility has earned Ballykeefe multiple national and international awards for its spirits.
PANEL Speakers
Darina Allen
Co-Founder
Ballymaloe Cookery School
John Lynch
CEO
Irish South & East Coast Fish Producers' Organisation
Paul Ward
Manager Business Intelligence
BIM
Tom Murray
Agronomist
O'Shea Farms
gARETH mULLINS
Executive Chef
Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin
Diarmuid Donnellan
Head of Sustainability, Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
AIB
Una Fitzgibbon
Director of Marketing
Bord Bia
Nicholas Lynch
Owner
Nick's Fish
Martin Buckley
Chef & Owner
The Lifeboat Inn
Courtmacsherry
Peter Ward
Owner
Country Choice
Nenagh
Eoghan Corry
Lead Travel Journalist
& Author
Paul Cunningham
Chef & Owner
Scoper's Dundrum
Co Down
Crother Murphy
Owner
Crafted Ireland, Luxury DMC
Dublin
![EOSR5262[72]](https://goodfoodireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/eosr526272-r2icp6ebx20oe320fd4too97axk5i9hx3kynsdpj8e.jpg "EOSR5262[72]")
Mick Kelly
CEO & Founder
GIY
Waterford
Francie Gorman
President
Irish Farmers' Association
Dublin
Kevin Kenny
General Manager
Castle Leslie Estate
Co Monaghan
Gary O'Hanlon
Exexutive Chef
The K Club
Co Kildare
Noel Leahy
Owner
Leahy Beekeeping
Co Galway
Eoghan O'Mara Walsh
CEO
Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC)
Joe Manley
Head Chef
Quinlan's Seafood Bar
Cork
Sponsors
Exclusive Session Sponsor
Bord Bia Sponsored Session: "From Farm to Table: Building a Resilient Food System"
"Bord Bia is delighted to be an exclusive sponsor to this "Farm to Table Session". It underscores Bord Bia's commitment to promoting sustainable food systems and supporting the growth of Ireland's agri-food sector. Through initiatives like Origin Green, Bord Bia collaborates with farmers, food producers and businesses to drive continuous sustainability improvements, contributing to Ireland's reputation as a leader in sustainable food production."
Visit Bord Bia Page
Exclusive session sponsor
BIM Sponsored Session: “Innovation in the Irish Food Sector – “Unlocking the Potential of Irish Seafood”
"BIM is delighted to sponsor the “Innovation Session” on seafood at the Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025. The BIM Business Intelligence Unit is working closely with seafood processors and the foodservice sector to provide education on the sustainability of seafood and alternatives that may be more cost-effective. With rising concerns over sustainability and food security, this initiative is not just about broadening the seafood selection - it’s about ensuring businesses make informed, responsible choices in their purchasing decisions."
Visit BIM Page
Exclusive session sponsor
AIB Sponsored Session: “Sustainability on the Plate: Linking Food,
Human Health, and Net Zero in Food Production”
“AIB is delighted to support the Good Food Ireland® Conference 2025 and is very proud to sponsor the “Sustainability Session” which includes Diarmuid Donnellan, Head of Sustainability for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries in AIB as a guest panellist. AIB will also launch the AIB Food Manufacturing Sustainability Guide at the event. AIB provide responsible green finance, investments and advice to drive structural change and support the transition to a low-carbon future".
For More Information
Visit
Green Business, Irish Businesses, Irish Farming, Climate Change | AIB”
Host Sponsor
Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin
A luxurious urban retreat that seamlessly blends contemporary
elegance with exceptional service. The hotel’s renowned restaurant, Forbes
Street by Gareth Mullins, is a culinary gem committed to showcasing the best of
local Irish produce. With a focus on sustainability and seasonality, the
restaurant crafts innovative dishes using the finest ingredients from Irish
farmers and food producers. Awarded the Good Food Ireland 2024 Hotel Restaurantof the Year, Forbes Street celebrates Ireland’s rich culinary heritage whileoffering a memorable dining experience that champions both local flavours and sustainable practices.
Visit Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin Page
Supporting partnerS
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