David Mulcahy to leave Sodexo after 20 years 

David Mulcahy is to leave contract caterer Sodexo after almost 20 years in the role.

Mulcahy joined Sodexo from Compass in 2006 to become craft and food development director. Latterly he was food innovation and sustainability director, supporting chef development across the business and driving its food procurement and partnerships.

He is the second recent high-profile departure from Sodexo after it was announced that Sean Hayley would leave his role as chief executive at the end of the year. 

Mulcahy said: “I have been doing some reminiscing lately, with nearly 20 years with Sodexo through some amazing and memorable times.

“Each chapter has had its unforgettable moments. So many it’s difficult to single any out.

“From delivering masterclasses on cookery skills in Hackney to a group of long term unemployed young people, to taking Sodexo chef of the year to the tip of Norway in the shadow of the North Pole to catch fish and cook it under the Northern Lights.

“From creating one of the largest Salon Culinaires in the UK (complete with DJ and Street food village) to travelling to Gambia with the World Food Programme and United Nations representing Stop Hunger to meet, listen to and learn from people facing such poverty that changes you forever.”

Mulcahy chef has won multiple Culinary Olympic and World Cup Gold medals, both as an individual and representing the UK National Culinary Team.

He was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award at the first Foodservice Cateys event in 2013 in recognition of his work in the wider industry to promote catering standards and has been honoured with an Order of Merit from the Craft Guild of Chefs, for whom he is currently vice president having also served as chairman.

Mulcahy is expected to continue his work as co-ordinator of competitions including the UK National Chef of the Year, Young National Chef of the Year, The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, and as chairman of FutureChef.

Sodexo UK & Ireland schools and universities chief executive Tracey Smith said: “We’d like to thank David for his significant contribution and passion for food and chef development during his career at Sodexo. His commitment to the culinary profession and social impact is widely recognised across the business and within the industry and we wish him well for the future.”