JB is from a small town called Luneville, not far from the city of Nancy in Lorraine in the north east of France. His early career was in the sciences, biology and sociology. He also worked in childcare until the age of 20 when he decided to study to become a chef. He took an accelerated, intensive course in Rennes, Britany. He moved to Ireland to work in Galway 16 years ago, though you could never tell from his accent that he has been here so long. JB has a wealth of experience in boutique hotels, 4 star hotels and prestigious restaurants and he’s bringing all that knowledge and experience to GROW HQ. He has a strong focus on fresh, local, seasonal products of impeccable quality. He combines this with a lifelong love of traditional methods of preserving veg like pickling, fermenting. Using produce,grown right outside the door in his meals and sauces and preserves will be a dream come true for this chef. Every item served in GROW HQ will be handmade on site under JB’s supervision, from the vinegar to the bread to the ketchup. The secret ingredient will always be time, passion and dedication.
Thomas started cheffing 25 years ago in Austria. He worked around the world from Switzerland to America, and finally to Ireland climbing the kitchen ranks from apprentice all the way to head chef. He met his wife in Borris and they started their family. Four kids later, he's living the dream with a house in the country where he can indulge his passion for seasonal and local produce. Raising his hens, ducks and bees and working in GROW HQ with long time friend, Head Chef JB, is a dream come true for Thomas.
Katarina is originally from Slovakia and has been living in Waterford for the past 11 years. Last year she married her husband, the love of her life! Their 2-year-old daughter is their sunshine and always keeps them busy!
When she’s away from the kitchen, Katarina loves to indulge in great chocolate and coffee. She likes to be in busy bustling places and enjoys spending time with her friends who make her so happy!
If you ever see Katarina harvesting our edible flowers from the GROW HQ garden, be sure to say hello to her, she’d be delighted if you did.
Emma, a northern lass from Manchester, England has spent most of her working life in the hospitality industry. Starting off waitressing in some of the Cotswolds finest restaurants Emma achieved her dream of opening her own restaurant in Cheltenham in 2005. Emma sold the restaurant after 5 successful and happy years and after the birth of her first child as she was expecting her second.
Emma and her family moved to Waterford in 2012 where she worked in the family business for 4 years before returning to her first love, hospitality with the wonderful team at Grow HQ.
Paul a born and bred blaa boy, loves coffee, cycling and anything outdoorsy. Always on the go as he can't sit still for 2 seconds...perhaps the coffee life is to blame for that.