During the summer months over the last number of years we have run a successful series of short special interest talks related to the food and drink sector.  These are 60-minute online sessions designed to be informal, but high on learnings with a single guest speaker.  For our 2025 summer series, we have a super line up of guests. 

	Tom Keogh – Tales From Farm to Shelf    Date: August 14th Time: 10.00 – 11.00 Online Zoom Link
	Sam Dennigan – The Strong Roots Story   Date: August 28th Time: 10.00 – 11.00 Online Zoom Link

August 14th: Tom Keogh – Tales From Farm to Shelf 

Keogh’s Crisps is a family-run Irish business that has grown from a traditional potato farm into one of Ireland’s leading premium snack brands. Based in North County Dublin, the Keogh family has been farming for over 200 years and launched their crisp range in 2011 with a strong “farm-to-bag” ethos. Every crisp is hand-cooked using homegrown potatoes and locally sourced Irish ingredients like Atlantic sea salt and Dubliner cheese. Their commitment to quality, traceability, and sustainability has made them a standout success both at home and internationally.

The brand has carved a niche by blending heritage with innovation—being one of the first crisp producers in the world to print the field name of origin on each bag. Today, Keogh’s Crisps are stocked across major Irish retailers and exported to over a dozen countries, including the UK, US, and Middle East. The business is a model of how Irish food producers can build premium, export-ready brands rooted in local authenticity and storytelling.  Tom will leave you with a taste of how tradition, storytelling, and smart thinking can grow global success.

August 28th: Sam Dennigan – The Strong Roots Story

Strong Roots is a fast-growing Irish plant-based food company founded in 2015 by Samuel Dennigan. The brand set out to revolutionise frozen food with a focus on health, sustainability, and convenience. Known for its clean-label products—like cauliflower hash browns, mixed root vegetable fries, and spinach bites—Strong Roots has won over consumers looking for simple, nutritious options that don’t compromise on flavour. All products are vegan, free from artificial ingredients, and designed to suit busy modern lifestyles.

The company has grown rapidly from local Irish shelves (starting in Food Academy) to a major international presence, stocked in over 10,000 stores across the UK, US, and beyond, including Whole Foods, Target, and Tesco. Backed by investment from McCain Foods, Strong Roots is now scaling its impact globally, with an eye on innovation and environmental responsibility. It stands as a leading example of how Irish food brands can tap into global wellness trends while staying true to quality and sustainability values. Sam will inspire you to think differently about food, innovation, and what it means to lead with values.