Domini Kemp trained as a chef at Leith’s in London in 1996, before co-writing “New Irish Cooking” and working in the Michelin-starred Peacock Alley, Dublin. In 1999, she founded itsa, together with her sister Peaches Kemp. They opened the first itsa outlet on Abbey Street. Since then, the company has grown to 5 brands and over 100 employees across 14 locations, as well as catering and event management. The brands include itsa, Joe’s, Hatch & Sons, Alchemy Juice Co. and Feast Catering & Events. The group also runs the cafes@ IMMA, plus Table Restaurant in Brown Thomas, Cork. Their outdoor catering and event management (FEAST Catering) is resident wedding caterer in Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow.
Domini was food-writer for The Irish Times Saturday Magazine from 2008-2016 and regularly appears on the Today Show on RTE. She is also on the steering committee for Social Enterprise change in Ireland and was involved in this government policy for change regarding employment for ex-offenders and social enterprise initiatives. She is a member of the Irish Food Writers Guild and a Eurotoques Chef. The Kemp Sisters won the IMAGE “Businesswoman of the Year” award, November 2009 and were nominated as one of the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, in 2011. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, Domini drastically changed her eating habits and to coincide with this change of direction to low-carb and healthy fat eating, she created the health, juice and wholefoods range “Alchemy Juice Co”. She wrote her fifth cookbook, “The Ketogenic Kitchen” with co-author, Patricia Daly, which has been a best-seller in the US and due for release in Germany. Domini is studying for an MA in Gastronomy & Food Studies in DIT.
Awards & Achievements:
Image Irish Business Women of The Year Award, 2009
Finalists in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, 2011
Member of Irish Food Writers Guild
Eurotoques Chef
Entrepreneurs, Women in Business, start up your own business, Food trends, health & food, cancer, company culture - feel free to flesh this out!