Pat O’Sullivan Founder & CEO
Pat O’Sullivan is the founder and CEO of Master Chefs, established in 2000 and now one of Ireland’s most respected catering brands with a strong presence across the Events, Sports & Leisure, Education, and Healthcare sectors.
Originally trained as a chef, Pat’s career has been defined by ambition, innovation, and a focus on operational excellence. Identifying a gap in the market, he built Master Chefs into a high-end catering company recognised for quality, reliability, and sustainable practices.
In 2021, Pat expanded this vision with the creation of Ellan Farm, a 20-acre organic horticulture facility in Ballyneety, Co. Limerick, which supplies seasonal produce directly to the business. His leadership in sustainability and Irish food culture has been acknowledged nationally, earning him Local Food Hero from the RAI in 2023, and in 2025 Ellan Farm was awarded the Environmental Award by the Irish Food Writers’ Guild.
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.
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.
John Randles Marketing Manager
John joined Master Chefs in August 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate in Hotel Management from Munster Technological University, he built his career in a number of well-known hotels in the South West of Ireland before transitioning into sales and marketing, where he discovered his professional passion.
As Marketing Manager at Master Chefs, John plays a key role in shaping the company’s brand presence and supporting its continued growth on a nationwide scale. He is committed to delivering creative and impactful marketing campaigns that reflect Master Chefs’ values of quality, innovation, and service excellence.
Outside of work, John is an avid home cook and rugby enthusiast and he values bringing the same energy, teamwork and creativity to his role as he does to his personal interests.
Jayme Keogh Operations Manager
Jayme is Operations Manager at Master Chefs, overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of large-scale events across Ireland.
Bringing over 12 years’ senior-level experience in the hospitality and events sector, Jayme has established a strong track record in conference, catering, and venue operations. He plays a central role in managing the day-to-day execution of major corporate functions, sports hospitality, concerts, festivals, and national conferences hosted by Master Chefs, delivering tailored solutions for clients of all sizes and sectors.
Jayme leads on workforce planning, logistics, service standards, and on-site operational control—ensuring every event runs seamlessly, efficiently, and to the highest professional standards. His hands-on approach and extensive operational background ensure consistency and excellence across Master Chefs’ diverse national event portfolio.