Pat O’Sullivan CEO
Pat has literally been ‘stirring the pot’ since the tender age of 16. At just 24 years old he was appointed to a Head Chef role, leading a team of 15 chefs.
He captained the Irish Team of World Masterchefs to compete internationally, winning the World Banqueting Championships in 1997.
In 1998 he made the bold decision to step away from the pass, spotting an opportunity to create a new kind of high-end catering company, Master Chefs was born. Over the past 24 years the company has grown to be an instantly recognisable national brand synonymous with quality, innovation & leadership.
It is this combination of food industry nous and business acumen that informs the Master Chefs’ way - uncompromising on quality and defined by a unique level of service. An early champion of native producers, seasonality and sustainability, he is a true innovator and a ‘disruptor’ of the Irish catering industry.
Leonora Quirke
Director of Operations
Leonora has been a cornerstone of the Master Chefs team since 2004, driving the delivery of high-end hospitality and setting the benchmark for customer service standards across our business. A graduate of GMIT with a National Diploma in Hotel & Catering Management, she built her foundation in fine dining through experience in 5-star properties in Northern Ireland and Australia.
Her deep industry knowledge, passion for excellence, and attention to detail have helped shape the growth and reputation of Master Chefs. In 2017, Leonora’s exceptional leadership was recognised when she was named Catering Manager of the Year at the Irish Hospitality Institute Management Awards.
Keith O’Sullivan
Director of Operations
Since joining Master Chefs in 2006, Keith has played a key role in the company’s growth, consistently setting high standards through his dedication and leadership. He holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with Event Management from LIT and was named Young Manager of the Year at the 2019 IHI Management Awards.
As Director of Operations, Keith oversees the event catering division, managing large-scale events from planning to execution. He brings a strong client-focused approach, ensuring detailed preparation, staff training, and seamless delivery.
Keith also holds a diploma in Human Resource Management and serves as Master Chefs’ Health and Safety Officer, as well as a certified Manual Handling Instructor.
Ilona Jezkova
Director of Finance
Ilona joined Master Chefs in 2015 as an Accounts Assistant and progressed to the role of Finance Director in 2023. She holds a degree in Business Studies, Economics, and Finance, and has specialised in the hospitality sector since 2007.
Ilona has played a central role in the modernisation and streamlining of Master Chefs’ financial and accounting processes. Her strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement have been key to supporting the company’s growth and operational efficiency.
Michelle O’Donnell Executive Head Chef
Michelle has been a vital part of the Master Chefs team since 2011, known for her passion, leadership, and commitment to culinary excellence. She was named Head Chef of the Year at the 2019 IHI Management Awards, highlighting her innovation and skill.
A champion of sustainability, Michelle leads our "Eating in Education" programme, delivering zero-waste cooking demos and promoting sustainable food practices. She showcased this work with a live cookery demo at the 2024 National Organic Food Fair.
Michelle drives our farm-to-fork philosophy, building strong relationships with local producers and integrating the principles of Ellan Farm into every dish. Focused on health, wellbeing, and nutrition, she leads a team dedicated to creating food that’s both nourishing and responsible. She also holds a Level 5 qualification in food safety systems, ensuring the highest hygiene standards across our kitchens.
Amy Byrnes Operations Manager
Amy joined Master Chefs in 2024, bringing a wealth of hospitality experience and a strong, people-focused leadership style. Her background includes private school catering—delivering high-end gala dinners and fundraisers—as well as managing large-scale corporate sites serving over 4,000 staff daily.
Amy has led teams of 50+ and played a key role in opening new sites, training teams, and embedding high service standards. Since joining Master Chefs, she has introduced new service protocols and strengthened the company’s people culture. She’s been instrumental during a key phase of expansion and now leads staff training across our portfolio, ensuring our service consistently reflects Master Chefs' high-end standards.
Nicola Frost Commercial Director
Nicola brings a wealth of experience as Master Chefs Commercial Director with over a decade working in the bustling hospitality sector in London. Holding key roles as Sales & Events Manager for Novus Leisure she was responsible for a number of venues across the companies portfolio of 40 event spaces later joining multi-site operator The Piano Works Group as Head of Sales & Marketing.
Since joining Master Chefs, Nicola has been essential to developing the commercial division, a key driver of the company’s ambitions to grow as a nationwide hospitality caterer and ensuring that Master Chefs truly does “bring more to the table”. She loves working in hospitality, meeting new clients and working closely with them to see each event come to life.
Sharon Connolly HR Manager
Sharon is the HR Manager at Master Chefs, having joined the company in 2025. She began her career in recruitment through a community initiative designed to assist adults in recovery by providing them with the skills needed for employment or further education. From there, Sharon progressed to the role of Assistant General Manager with an award-winning FM company, where she managed the hygiene and healthcare sector, overseeing a team of more than 200 staff across multiple sites.
She later transitioned into a HR role, where she mentored managers and supervisors on policies and procedures, ensuring their effective implementation across diverse teams and locations. In parallel, Sharon pursued a BA in HR Management, a qualification accredited by the CIPD.
John Randles Marketing Manager
John joined the Master Chefs team in August 2022 from the MHL Hotel collection with over 15 years experience working in hospitality. A hotel management graduate from Munster Technological University, he found his passion in hospitality sales & marketing having previously worked in a number of well known hotels in the South West of Ireland.
Master Chefs has been a dream opportunity for him as an avid home cook, rugby fan & former player. He is delighted to join the Master Chefs team at such a critical time in the company’s plans to further grow on a nationwide scale.