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Lidl Ireland has named Michelin-starred chef Eric Matthews as its new chief ambassador, a move the retailer says will help customers lift everyday meals using its premium lines and Irish ingredients. The tie-up follows Lidl’s increased sourcing from local suppliers, underlining a greater focus on homegrown produce.
A chef for the supermarket aisle
Matthews will work with Lidl to demonstrate practical ways to upgrade routine cooking, with an emphasis on the retailer’s Deluxe range and Irish-sourced products. The appointment positions a high-profile culinary figure at the centre of Lidl’s push to make premium cooking techniques more accessible to shoppers.
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Professional background
Matthews brings experience from several internationally recognised kitchens. His résumé includes time at The Square in London, work at The Fat Duck in Bray on Thames, and a role at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House.
Closer to home, he spent a period at the Michelin-starred Chapter One. He later co-founded Kicky’s on South Great George’s Street and, in December 2025, he and his partner Richie Barrett took over the reins at BANG on Merrion Row.
What this means for shoppers
The collaboration is framed around showing simple techniques and recipe ideas that lift everyday meals. Lidl says the partnership will highlight how customers can pair convenience items with quality Irish ingredients to achieve restaurant-style results at home.
Lidl’s local supplier push
The ambassadorship arrives as Lidl reports increased support for Irish producers, with more than €2bn in annual procurement from local businesses in 2026. The retailer presents the move as part of a broader strategy to source and promote Irish food within its stores.
For consumers, the alliance promises a practical bridge between supermarket shopping and higher-end cooking, anchored by a chef with both international and Irish credentials.
