Shannen and Sean, the co-founders of TrustDish, have spent their careers in food retail, running forecourts where food is at the heart of what they do.
The Inspiration behind TrustDish
But throughout their journey, one challenge remained constant—providing accurate, up-to-date allergen information to their customers.
For them, this mission is deeply personal… Rachel, Shannen’s sister and Sean’s daughter, has a severe peanut allergy and has faced multiple life-threatening experiences while dining outside the home. Her struggles inspired them to create TrustDish—a platform dedicated to solving the critical issue of allergen communication in the food industry.
At TrustDish, they’re committed to making dining safer, more transparent, and inclusive for everyone. TrustDish aims to give those with food allergies a voice, whilst also keeping them safe.
The TrustDish Team
Our expert team: diverse skills in hospitality, sales, tech and more
Our team is comprised of highly skilled individuals with diverse backgrounds in hospitality, sales, business development, technology, food safety, marketing, and more. These experienced professionals form the backbone of our organisation.
Shannen is a promoter/shareholder with a unique skill set that combines her academic background in BSc Early Years and Childhood Studies with her passion for business and innovation. With a Masters in Food Business and Innovation, she has the knowledge and expertise to identify market gaps in the food industry and develop solutions that meet the needs of consumers.
Her experience working for global company BWG Foods (SPAR), and her own family business has given her valuable insight into the food industry and the challenges faced by businesses in this sector. It was while working with SPAR that she identified a gap in the market for an effective, fit-for-purpose allergen management system. This inspired her to develop TrustDish.
Shannen’s Story
Shannen is the driving force behind TrustDish. Inspired by her sister Rachel’s severe peanut allergy, she embarked on a mission to create a solution that would make dining out stress-free for allergy sufferers and to revolutionise how the hospitality industry works.
Shannen embarked on the Ignite Business Accelerator programme at UCC with a vision to bring her vision to life.
Shannen loves to travel and you will find her hitting the slopes or relaxing in a favourite sunspot whenever the opportunity arises.
Having worked through his Cathal Brugha St. years in the Horse and Jockey Hotel and The Harbour Master Bar & Restaurant, Kevin worked in Australia for a year before moving to London where he worked in Harvey Nichols 5th floor restaurant for 3 years before moving to Pellegrino, one of world’s top 50 restaurant Wolseley as sous chef.
After moving home in the 00’s he headed up Liberty Grill in Cork City for a few years before opening Electric Bar & Restaurant with Ernest Cantillon and Denis O’Mulllan.
After Electric, he opened Chapel Steps with Sean & Siobhan O’Reilly quickly gaining local acclaim. In year 2 they received a Michelin recommendation and multiple reviews. They have since moved on from the restaurant and opened a pair of food trucks again to local and national acclaim, winning ‘National Burger Of The Year’ and ‘Best Burger’ in Munster over the past 2 years.
Kevin’s story
Kevin brings a wealth of experience in the culinary world to TrustDish. As an award winning chef with over 25 years’ experience working around the world, he understands the importance of clear communication in the kitchen. Kevin’s expertise ensures that our app provides seamless integration between the diner and the kitchen/deli, allowing chefs to cater to special requests with ease.
Passionate about food, travel, and sport, music, live gigs and festivals, the most important things in his life are his four children and partner who embrace life’s journey with him.
Kevin is also a lover of systems that work and enjoys the chaotic yet ordered environment of a kitchen.
Rachel is an MSc Human Resources Student at University College Cork. She is the daughter and sister of the founders of TrustDish. She has had a severe peanut allergy from a very young age, and does not remember life without this allergy. She is in the top 20% of worst allergic reactions, having to carry 2 EpiPens around with her daily. She is both anaphylactic when peanuts are injected, and her allergy is airborne.
Over the years, she has struggled with dining in restaurants, both in Ireland and abroad. She has been turned away from restaurants many times once peanut allergy was mentioned, making her feel like a burden to whomever she is dining with at the time and such restaurant attitudes have made her feel excluded. Rachel plays a crucial role in formulating the user experience of the app within TrustDish.
Rachel’s story
Meet Rachel, an avid traveler who cherishes moments spent with her loved ones. Her passion for exploring the world has taken her on adventures across various continents. However, her incredible journeys are also shaped by the challenges posed by a severe peanut allergy, limiting her exploration of certain countries.
The inspiration behind TrustDish, Rachel O’Reilly is a HR & Operations Manager at the Maxol Group and will be working with us here as an advisor based around her real-life experience of life with a food allergy.
Sean is a promoter/shareholder with over 30 years of experience in the Food Retail sector, having run several successful businesses, including his two forecourts a restaurant, and a number of food outlets.
Sean’s experience as a parent to a child with a life-threatening food allergy and his background as a business owner plays a crucial role in TrustDish. His personal experience with food allergies has given him a unique perspective on the importance of proper food allergen communication and management systems and the need for increased awareness around allergen management.
Sean’s story
Sean’s life revolves around his deep-rooted values of family. Beyond family, his heart beats for sports, with a profound dedication to GAA. His commitment shines through as he passionately coaches the local football and hurling teams. He’s also a long-suffering Man United fan…
As a father, Sean O’Reilly understands the concerns and anxieties that come with having a child with allergies. His unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in shaping TrustDish into what it is today.
Our Trusted Partners
Award Winning
TrustDish, an allergen management system for people dining out, scooped an accolade at UCC’s annual Ignite Awards. Shannen O’Reilly of TrustDish won the Bank of Ireland Investor Pathway Award.
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TrustDish is more than just an app – it’s a community of like-minded individuals led by a team of champions with real life experience who share the goal of making dining out accessible to all.
