Popular Portlaoise food business chosen as finalist in national awards

Popular Portlaoise based food business Le Skinny Chef Ltd has been named a finalist in this year’s National Enterprise Awards.
The business will now represent Local Enterprise Office Laois in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin on June 18.

The National Enterprise Awards celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprise sector and recognise the achievements of companies supported by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Le Skinny Chef, Aymar Gourdet is a multi award winning chef and restaurateur. Le Skinny Chef Ltd. was founded in 2016 in Portlaoise and the company specialises in artisanal French-Irish fusion sauces, soups, pestos and many more products.
From an early age, Aymar was interested in cooking and opened his first gastronomic restaurant almost 30 years ago.

After founding Le Skinny Chef Ltd, the demand for his products such as his Spreadable Wild Garlic Pesto and soups has been huge.

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Le Skinny Chef comprises of a wide range of award winning artisan products which Aymar creates from locally sourced organic ingredients, many of which are both dairy and gluten free. He produces a range of artisan food products from locally sourced dips, spreadable pestos, concentrated soups, chutneys, jams, oils and cordials. He received instant success in 2016 when he was a recipient of a Great Taste Award and has won many awards since.

Local Enterprise Office Laois said Le Skinny Chef Ltd. is an excellent example of a local business who availed of a wide range of LEO supports such as LEAN, Green and Digital supports which helps to improve efficiencies, processes and digitalisation.

They have supported the business’s incremental growth in the form of both financial grant assistance and soft supports. The company has been approved business expansion grants which have helped to grow the business and was approved an Energy Efficiency grant. The company has also availed of a Trading Online Voucher to further develop their online presence and have availed of TAME grant to explore export markets.

Laois County Winner, Aymar Gourdet from Le Skinny Chef will represent Laois in the National Enterprise Awards 2026. Aymar is pictured here with Michael Rainey, Chief Executive Laois County Council; Honor Deevy, LEO Laois Senior Enterprise Development Officer; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council; Angela McEvoy, Director of Services Laois County Council and Dominic Reddin, LEO Laois Acting Head of Enterprise. Photo: Alf Harvey 

Aymar also took part in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Get Exporting Programme run by LEO Laois.

Speaking about the Awards, Honor Deevy, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Laois said “I would like to congratulate Aymar on all his achievements to-date and wish him all the best in the next stage of the competition. The National Enterprise Awards is an opportunity to highlight the contribution small businesses make to the local economy and Laois is proud to be represented by Le Skinny Chef Ltd. at these Awards. The National Enterprise Awards offer an invaluable opportunity for businesses to gain national recognition.’

Le Skinny Chef Ltd will go forward to represent Laois at the National Finals where there will be an announcement of winners from each region as well as the Overall winner. Categories this year include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start-Up’ and ‘Innovation,’ along with “One to Watch” and a “Sustainability ” award in addition to nine regional awards.