As part of the contract, JP McMahon, the Galway-based Michelin Star winning chef, author and restaurateur, will act as its menu consultant in addition to providing training for the company’s 40 staff on-site.
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.”
Sodexo will be managing An Bhialann, the 720-seater restaurant that forms the heart of NUI Galway’s on-campus catering offer. The caterer will work closely with local suppliers to put in a new selection of food offers.
Sodexo’s global universities business has a turnover of €2.6 billion and provides services at 1,600 campuses across the world. In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo provides catering, accommodation, FM and hospitality services to 50 universities and colleges.