ANTHONY O’TOOLE

Advisor. Researcher. Disruptor. Enabler. Explorer. Leader. Designer. Educator. Dreamer. Eater. Drinker. Gardener. Keeper.

Anthony is an international specialist in travel, Irish gastronomy, sustainability and design, specialising in sparking creativity, future thinking and change. His strengths are bringing people, food, drink, and places together to create exceptional brands, events and experiences.

Anthony is the founder of Fat Tomato, an edible garden located in the southeast of Ireland that produces over 500 heritage varieties of fruit, herbs, and vegetables. He is a chef, tutor, activist, accredited culinary professional, and sommelier. He is also an avid collector of cookbooks and writes about food, culture, and travel.

With his involvement in numerous initiatives and events, Anthony is one of Ireland's foremost authorities on food and tourism.

Like a busy bee or a curious fox, Anthony is known to do multiple things. Along with running his own business and partnering with others as a creative director, Anthony consults with various food, drink, hospitality, travel, communications, education and design enterprises in Ireland and abroad, either as an advisor, creative lead or project manager.

Background

Anthony has worked in Ireland, the UK and France since an early age. He has held positions as an office administrator, a hospitality manager, various chef roles, and a head cookery school tutor and course developer. He has worked as a business and culinary development specialist with a large restaurant solutions company for 5-years, working alongside directors and senior management to introduce new ideas, concepts, and sustainable change across their portfolio of brands.

A natural entrepreneur, Anthony worked for himself as a private chef, caterer, creative director and event planner while maintaining full-time positions. Since 2013, Anthony has worked independently and is lucky to be invited to be part of a diverse range of projects in Ireland and internationally.

Education and training

In 2020, Anthony completed an Advanced Diploma in Social Media and Media Law at the internationally renowned law school, King’s Inns. He has also participated in workshops and seminars on public procurement, employment law, and data protection.

Anthony holds a Master of Science in Culinary Innovation and New Product Development from Technological University, Dublin, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Culinary Arts and Related Sciences. With a vast interest in drinks, Anthony has also completed WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. Anthony has been accredited numerous academic and industry accolades so far in his career. Some to note are the best new product that would succeed in the marketplace, a Silver Chef Award, a semi-finalist in the Bolton Trust Entrepreneur Competition, a Guild of Sommeliers in Ireland Award, and a scholarship to study Sherry in Jerez, Spain.

Anthony spends at least 10% of his personal and professional time contributing to society and advocating for social change. Since a young age, he has volunteered with many communities locally and nationally. His family was involved in the Chernobyl Children International project for over ten years.

Industry Involvement

Anthony is highly respected in Ireland's food, hospitality, and travel communities. Anthony is a board member of Slow Food Ireland and an active member of The Guild of Sommeliers in Ireland, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and the World Food Travel Association.

He is a proud member of Chefs’ Manifesto, a chef-led project run by the United Nation’s SDG2 Advocacy Hub that brings together 1200+ chefs from around the world to explore how they can help deliver a sustainable food system. Anthony previously served as the Head of the Food Council for Euro-Toques Ireland (2018-2023), a network established by leading culinary figures in Europe in 1986 to help protect and promote small food and drink producers and bridge the connection between chefs and producers.

He is also a keen supporter of biodiversity and the organic food movement. Anthony is a member of the Seed Sovereignty UK and Ireland Programme and a great supporter of Irish Seed Savers and Brown Envelope Seeds.

Anthony is one of Ireland’s Food Ambassadors. He was appointed a Food Champion with Fáilte Ireland, Ireland's national tourism development authority, from 2016 to 2019 to help champion and build Ireland’s food tourism scene on the ground. Anthony was one of their advisors on their new Food and Drink Strategy 2018-2023. He sat on the steering group for their international ‘Taste the Island’ campaign with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

He co-founded the Irish Food Champions Assembly and the online #thisisirishfood movement – two initiatives established to support, educate and champion the Irish culinary scene regionally, nationally and internationally.

Anthony participates in many festivals, symposiums and events in Ireland and abroad and strongly advocates networking and working together to strengthen Ireland’s food and heritage internationally. He has also worked with many leading national and international award organisations recognising talent, standards and innovation within the industry.

With his involvement in many initiatives and events, Anthony has been featured in many media publications and magazines in Ireland and further afield - The Irish Times, Irish Whiskey Magazine, the Irish Examiner, The Sunday Times, Hot Press, Food & Wine, Independent, and New York Times.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.