Elaine Mahon is a lecturer in gastronomy and food studies at Technological University Dublin. She was awarded a PhD in 2019 for her research into Irish diplomatic dining and state hospitality protocols in the early decades of Irish independence. Her current research, along with masters and PhD supervision, focuses on food history, menu analysis, and food in international relations (diplomatic gastronomy, culinary diplomacy, gastrodiplomacy).

Elaine delivers a range of practical and theory-based modules across programmes in the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology. A trained chef, she draws on extensive industry experience to support the development of practical professional skills. She is a regular media contributor and was nominated by students in 2025 for the TU Dublin Excellence in Research Supervision Award.

Elaine holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, a Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching, and a BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts. Before taking up her current academic role, she worked as a chef for ten years and, in a previous career, worked at the European Commission in Brussels and Spain. She has a strong interest in relational pedagogy and actively supports inclusive practices in education. In 2025, she became a Learning, Teaching & Assessment Affiliate at TU Dubin.

Elaine is a founding member of the TU Dublin Centre for Irish Studies, and co-editor of the Journal of Franco-Irish Studies. She is a trustee of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery where she coordinates the Young Chefs programme and serves on the organising committees of the Dublin Gastronomy Symposium and the ‘Food and Drink As…’ conference series. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, and the Advisory Board of the Food Studies Research Network.

Founding Board Member, TU Dublin Centre for Irish Studies
Organising Committee Member, Dublin Gastronomy Symposium
Trustee, Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery
Coordinator, Young Chefs Programme, Oxford Food Symposium
Board Member, Association for Franco-Irish Studies
Editor, Journal of Franco-Irish Studies
Organising Committee Member, 'Food and Drink As...' Conference Series
Guest Editor, Food, Culture & Society
Advisory Board Member, Food Studies Research Network
Member, Les Dames d'Escoffier

Culinary arts; gastronomy; Irish food history, French gastronomy; food in international relations (diplomatic dining, diplomatic gastronomy, culinary diplomacy, gastrodiplomacy); food pedagogy; relational pedagogy; equality, diversity and inclusion; intersectionality; education; identity and cultures; practical professional skills development

2025 Learning, Teaching & Assessment Affiliate Learning, Teaching & Assessment - TU Dublin

In addition to Masters and PhD supervision, Elaine delivers the following modules across undergraduate and masters programmes:

• Food Pedagogy: Exploring Culinary Education
• Gastronomy 1 – Food in History
• Gastronomy 2 - Sociology of Food
• French Culinary Wine Terminology
• Fundamentals of Professional Pastry
• Introduction to Professional Pastry