A Culinary Journey: Spotlight on Martin Corcoran at FoodSpace
Martin Corcoran’s path to becoming a Catering Manager at FoodSpace is a story of passion, perseverance, and continuous learning. From his early days as a carpenter to leading kitchen teams in some of Ireland’s top establishments, Martin’s career is a testament to adaptability and hard work.
A Career Built on Determination
Martin didn’t start out in the culinary world. Initially trained as a carpenter, he found himself exploring new opportunities in 2008 when his love for baking at home led him to pursue a chef course at Waterford Institute of Technology, but he needed experience to enrol. Determined, he offered to work for free at a local restaurant in Kilkenny, to gain the skills required.
His dedication paid off—what began as a few weeks of unpaid experience turned into a part-time job, then full-time work, and eventually, a college degree. Over the next several years, Martin worked his way up from kitchen porter to chef de partie, dipping into all aspects of running a kitchen, including night porter duties, maintenance, and operations.
Growth Through Experience
Martin’s career took a significant step forward when he joined a client design centre, where he worked for a decade. During his time there, he met Rory, a chef who played a major part in shaping his journey. Working together, they pushed culinary standards higher, and when Rory moved into a leadership position, Martin followed, stepping up as Catering Manager.
His career path continued to evolve, leading him to roles as an Operations Manager, Head Chef at a boutique hotel, and Chef Manager at Bank of Ireland offices. Eventually, when an opportunity came up at FoodSpace, he reconnected with Rory once again. Recognising the potential to build something great, Martin joined the team at FoodSpace, where he now thrives as Catering Manager.
A Day in the Life at FoodSpace
Martin’s leadership ensures smooth operations, a supportive work environment, and high-quality service. His mornings start with greeting the chefs and front-of-house team, ensuring everyone is set up for the day. Whether he’s assisting with service, overseeing operations, or refining processes with his team, Martin believes in leading by example.
“The wash-up area is the heartbeat of the service,” he says. “Clean plates and cutlery are just as important as stock-taking.” His hands-on approach keeps the team motivated, ensuring that every service runs efficiently.
Beyond the Kitchen
Outside of work, Martin’s world revolves around family. Evenings often include a gym session followed by cooking dinner for his wife and two children. Weekends are spent walking, bringing his daughter to panto rehearsals, and exploring independent restaurants in Kilkenny to support local businesses.
“I love experiencing local cuisine wherever we go,” Martin shares, a nod to his belief in the importance of food culture and community.
Words of Wisdom
For Martin, teamwork is at the heart of everything. “The friendship in a kitchen is like no other industry,” he says. “There’s no ‘I’ in team—we all work for the common good.”
His leadership attitude revolves around patience, understanding, and the ability to adapt. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in management,” he explains. “Everyone deserves a piece of your time, and you can’t do it all alone—you need a great team.”
Overcoming Challenges
One of the biggest tests in his career was navigating the hospitality industry’s recovery after COVID-19. Leading the reopening of two restaurants, Martin helped bring ten staff members back to work safely. “It was stressful, but looking back, it was one of the most rewarding experiences,” he says. The challenge deepened his appreciation for the business side of hospitality and reinforced the importance of work-life balance.
A Personal Motto
For Martin, every day in the kitchen is an opportunity to grow. His guiding principle? “It’s a constant cycle of learning. Every day is a school day.”
Through hard work, adaptability, and a promise to his team, Martin Corcoran continues to make a lasting impact at FoodSpace, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence.
Thank You, Martin!
