An occasional series of interviews from Dylan McLoughlin
Gourmet Tart was founded by Fintan and his wife Michelle in 2001. They are a family business with extended members of 70 full-time baristas, chefs, bakers, patissiers, and producers. All work together to continue expanding their range of sweet and savoury products.1 Tell me about your background.
Where did you go to school and college?
I went to boarding school at Carmelite College in Moate Co. Westmeath. I was very happy there and went to University in Galway, where I studied science.
How did you decide to set up Gourmet Tart?
After I finished my science degree, I did a PhD in chemistry and worked in a chemical factory in Shannon. I missed Galway, and there was no possibility of working in Galway in that field. I started to bake cakes as a pastime, and then I decided to try to sell the cakes on the Limerick market. I didn’t really have a plan to set up Gourmet Tart, but the cakes were very popular, and soon I didn’t have time for my day job. I got married and moved back to Galway in 2001, and I set up our first shop in 2002 on Henry Street in Galway. I chose that location because it was all I could afford, and it had an oven in it because it was an old bakery, and ovens are very expensive.
What was the experience like working during the pandemic?
The pandemic came at a time where we had experienced the ups and downs of 19 years in business. At that stage, we were accustomed to dealing with problems; it was just another problem to solve. Every day in business, we solve problems, and if our business was in its first or second year, it would have been much more stressful.
Did you close all six shops during the 1st Covid lockdown?
Yes, and our bakery.
After the first lockdown, your home service flourished. When did you decide to start selling Gourmet Tart Hampers?
We are not planners. We reopened our shops after Covid 19, but we didn’t open our sit-down 70-seater restaurant. That meant that we had 14 staff without work, and we had an empty space. We gave the kitchen staff jobs in our bakery making products and gave our floor staff the jobs of assembling hampers. We did not know what to expect, but it was a massive success for us, and now we have continued with the hampers every year and continue to employ the staff to help us.
During Covid19, you came up with a novel idea to sell ‘Sweet Home Hampers’, which was a fantastic idea when people could not visit family and friends. Tell me more about this?
This was just a name that evolved when we noticed the messages that were attached to the hampers. It was quite emotional at times reading the messages, and we felt that SENDING LOVE or HOME SWEET HOME captured the mood perfectly. People chose the hampers based on names, and we realised that this was important.
Did your experience working as a scientist help with safety planning during the pandemic?
It helped me recognise that this was a serious issue, and it would not be resolved within a few weeks. It also helped me to organise a safe work environment, and my scientific training and experience might have allowed me not to panic.
How many people do you employ in your six outlets?
70
You started working initially in Limerick’s Milk Market. Do you still work from there on Saturdays?
Yes, we have a great fondness for Limerick, and we are there most Saturdays serving the children and grandchildren of our original customers. It is a lovely market.
You also have a catering service that feeds the University of Galway and ATU. Tell me more about this service?
This was an opportunity that was offered to us approx 15 years ago, and we have grown that business alongside the very supportive staff on both campuses. We like to think that we understand what students want to eat, and we are proud to offer them good quality food at a fair price.
Do you intend to further expand Gourmet Tart outside of Galway?
No
What are your pastimes?
I run every day when I get home from work, and I like gardening.
Do you like to travel when you have any spare time?
I travel, but I am happier at home in the garden.
Dylan McLoughlin from Carnmore is writing a series of occasional interviews with local personalities.
