Workplace Wellbeing Strategy
Elm Park, South County Dublin Dining Destination - 2023
Elm Park Golf & Sports Club
Led the 18-month menu and concept redevelopment for Elm Park Golf & Sports Club, spanning all-day dining and then progressed on to the menu inception and launch of The Rose Garden, a 120-seat contemporary restaurant.
Month Engagement
Original recipes
Dining Destinations
Led the 18-month menu and concept redevelopment for Elm Park Golf & Sports Club, spanning all-day dining and the launch of The Rose Garden — a 120-seat contemporary restaurant. Integrated 15+ Irish artisan producers, developed full operational systems, and delivered a dining experience built to perform at member level and at scale.
Commissioned by
Elm Park
Sector
Hospitality / Members Club
Services
Menu Redesign, Procurement , Culinary Training
Duration
18 months
The Work
The brief extended far beyond creating a new menu. It was to redefine the dining experience at Elm Park Golf & Sports Club by developing a food offering that reflected member expectations, celebrated Irish producers and could be delivered consistently at scale.
The project began with member research to understand dining habits, preferences and unmet opportunities. These insights shaped the culinary direction, informing the redevelopment of the all-day dining menu and the sourcing strategy that followed. More than fifteen Irish artisan producers were introduced, strengthening ingredient quality, provenance and seasonality across the entire offering.
From there, the work moved into culinary development. Every dish was created, tested and refined through multiple iterations to achieve the right balance of flavour, operational efficiency and commercial viability. Standard operating procedures, recipe specifications and kitchen training were developed alongside the menu to ensure consistency across every service.
Launching the new dining experience required more than a new menu. An eight-week member communications campaign built anticipation, explained the vision behind the changes and invited members into the journey before launch. The redevelopment culminated in a tasting dinner for 150 members, introducing the new culinary direction before full implementation.
The second phase focused on the creation of The Rose Garden, a 120-seat contemporary restaurant inspired by New York Italian dining and rooted in exceptional Irish ingredients. This included concept development, menu creation, specialist supplier procurement, culinary identity, kitchen systems and staff training, resulting in a dining experience designed to evolve seasonally while maintaining consistency, quality and operational excellence.
The project began with member research to understand dining habits, preferences and unmet opportunities. These insights shaped the culinary direction, informing the redevelopment of the all-day dining menu and the sourcing strategy that followed. More than fifteen Irish artisan producers were introduced, strengthening ingredient quality, provenance and seasonality across the entire offering.
From there, the work moved into culinary development. Every dish was created, tested and refined through multiple iterations to achieve the right balance of flavour, operational efficiency and commercial viability. Standard operating procedures, recipe specifications and kitchen training were developed alongside the menu to ensure consistency across every service.
Launching the new dining experience required more than a new menu. An eight-week member communications campaign built anticipation, explained the vision behind the changes and invited members into the journey before launch. The redevelopment culminated in a tasting dinner for 150 members, introducing the new culinary direction before full implementation.
The second phase focused on the creation of The Rose Garden, a 120-seat contemporary restaurant inspired by New York Italian dining and rooted in exceptional Irish ingredients. This included concept development, menu creation, specialist supplier procurement, culinary identity, kitchen systems and staff training, resulting in a dining experience designed to evolve seasonally while maintaining consistency, quality and operational excellence.
The targets
Deliverables
The redevelopment created value for both members and management: delivering a dining experience that reflected changing member expectations while providing the operational systems, supplier network and culinary consistency required to support long-term commercial success.
The Results
The redevelopment repositioned dining at Elm Park as a member destination rather than simply a club restaurant. By combining consumer insight, culinary innovation and operational excellence, the project delivered two different, but alinged food offerings that celebrated Irish producers while creating a contemporary dining experience designed to evolve with member expectations.
"We've had the pleasure of working with Aisling Larkin for over a year and a half now, and I can honestly say she's become like family to us here at Elm Park. From the very first collaboration, Aisling brought an energy and expertise that transformed our dining experience. She revitalized and modernized our all-day dining menu, carefully integrating over 15 small artisan Irish producers, which brought a fresh, local, and elevated touch to every dish.
Aisling's approach to the process was collaborative and thoughtful. It was a true partnership from start to finish.
In May 2024, we moved on to phase two with Aisling, working on the concept for The Rose Garden, our stunning new 120-seat contemporary restaurant here at our Golf & Sports Club. From concept to design, Aisling led us through a seamless process. The Rose Garden opened its doors in November and the result is a dining experience we're incredibly proud of.
She’s not just a consultant; she’s a true partner in the creative process, and it’s been a pleasure to work with someone who truly understands our vision.
Aisling, you’re always welcome here—please don’t be a stranger!"
TIM O'BRIEn , General Manager Elm Park
Commission a Project
Member-led design.
Operational excellence.
Built to evolve
Elm Park demonstrates what is possible when leadership genuinely understands that hospitality is about people first. With a clear commitment to enhancing the member experience, every element of the transformation was designed around creating a dining offering that members valued, trusted and wanted to return to.
Behind the brief
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