Sodexo has won a catering contract worth €2 million annually from NUI Galway which will see JP McMahon of Michelin star Aniar act as menu consultant and provide training to its 40 staff.
The college, which has over 17,000 students and 2,400 staff, will also be provided with a Student Experience Manager with the aim of building a two-way relationship between students and staff as well as using LeanPath technology to help monitor and reduce food waste. The contract will see Sodexo manage the 720-seater An Bhialann restaurant on-campus, focusing on working with local suppliers and ethically-sourced ingredients to serve competitively priced dishes.
Ann Duggan, commercial manager of NUI Galway said: “We are delighted to welcome Sodexo, the global leader in the provision of catering services within the university sector internationally, and look forward to working with this innovative company who will provide a bespoke food offering focusing on wholesome, locally sourced food enhanced through the involvement of local food advisers to students, staff and visitors.”
2015 saw Sodexo spend €21 million on Irish food, with the company employing 2,100 staff in 200 locations and serving 90,000 people daily. Its global universities business has a turnover of €2.6 billion and provides services at 1,600 campuses across the world. It provides catering, accommodation and hospitality services to 50 universities and colleges in the UK and Ireland.
Paul Anstey, chief executive for Sodexo Universities UK, Ireland and Nordics said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Sodexo. NUI Galway is one of Ireland’s most well-respected and popular universities. Sodexo has an excellent reputation for catering and using locally sourced and fresh food in Ireland. We are confident we can bring together strong sector and local knowledge to provide a superbly executed and innovative food offer for NUI Galway."
