Meet the Team

Gavin Prendergast
Founder

Gavin is the founder of Urban Picnic and brings a wealth of management experience from some of the leading Hotels in the world and the Gordon Ramsay Group. In 2009 Urban Picnic was conceived and created and has as gone from strength to strength over the years working with some of the biggest names in the tech industry including Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, Amazon, Intercom and Stripe.

Adrian Roche
Company Executive Chef

Adrian is responsible for menu planning and produce sourcing, he works very closely with our suppliers to ensure that we have the best local produce. Adrian will ensure that the quality of the menus exceeds the expectations of all our clients every day. His creative interpretations of classic and contemporary dishes and healthy cooking style ensure that all our clients have a vibrant, unique food style.

Gary Whyte
Operations & Quatlity Control Director

Gary holds a Bachelor of Business Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from GMIT. He has over 10 years Hospitality experience across numerous countries having worked previously with Raymond Blanc in the UK holder of 2** Michelin Stars, with Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Peter Kuruvita in Australia and most recently with the Powerscourt Hotel.

Tomasz Stepien
Head Chef

Chef Tomasz Stepien was born in Warsaw (Poland) in 1981. In 1996 he began training in Warsaw's Technical School of Culinary Arts and Food and finished it in 2000. Since then Tomasz has been working in a wide variety of hospitality businesses such small and large chain hotels, restaurants, catering and as a private chef. In 2012 he joined Urban Picnic where became Head Chef in 2015.

Don McGhee
Head Chef

Don started his training in Killybegs Tourism College and further developed his talent in Michelin star Erriseask House Ballyconnelly Clifden. Dons passion was recognised by winning a Scholarship to attend a cookery school in Baden Wutenburg Germany. Don has spent time working in New York & Australia which instilled in him a deep knowledge and understanding of international dishes, recipes & ethnic cuisines.

Atte Passi
Head Chef

Atte is originally from Finland and has worked for the past 4 years with Urban Picnic. He brings a wealth of experience from some of the leading Michelin starred restaurants in the UK and Europe including the Square in London, Lucknam Park and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Atte is the chef responsible for all onsite training of catering staff, where his attention to detail enables Atte to build a strong team through his creative desire.

Cian Harrison
Restaurant Manager

Cian is responsible and manages the overall operations of the restaurant facilities. Cian is be the first point of contact in Dublin Head Office and regularly meets with onsite management to ensure the smooth running of the Urban Picnic Restaurants.

Dominika Urbanska
Assistant Manager

Domi has been a major player at Urban Picnic for 5 years. A talented individual who has a real love for quality food, the hospitality industry and the latest culinary trends. She is an experienced host and a hand’s on manager. Domi is personally involved in rallying staff, serving customers and keeping everything running smoothly.

Kornelia Perzak
Restaurant Manager

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