Meet Tom & Ollie: From Market Stall to Clean-Label Pioneer

Founded in 2014 by food scientist Shay Mullan after studying Food Science, Manufacturing and Technology at Loughry College, Tom & Ollie began as a small stall at local food markets in Northern Ireland. From small-batch antipasti and pestos made by hand, Tom & Ollie has grown into a trusted name for fresh, preservative-free Mediterranean food.

From the very beginning, customer feedback shaped the brand’s direction. Every recipe was refined through direct market interaction, inspiring the creation of preservative-free, small-batch products that combine authentic Mediterranean flavours with local craftsmanship.

By 2018, the company’s reputation for quality attracted Pallas Foods, Ireland’s largest premium food distributor, which approached Tom & Ollie to adapt its popular products for food service packaging. This marked the brand’s transition from a market trader to a full-scale food producer, ready to supply hotels, restaurants, and retailers nationwide.

To meet growing demand while keeping its “fresh and natural” promise, Tom & Ollie invested in advanced food preservation technologies, including HPP (High Pressure Processing) and autoclave systems, allowing it to extend shelf life naturally without artificial additives. These innovations open the door to global distribution, enabling the brand to export its clean-label range while maintaining flavour, texture, and freshness.

Today, Tom & Ollie’s Mediterranean deli range includes over 65 products, from olives and roasted vegetables to pestos and tapenades, produced at its facility in Belfast and distributed through retail and food service partners across Ireland and the U.K. The brand’s award-winning recipes have earned recognition at Blas na hÉireann and the Great Taste Awards, celebrating both quality and innovation.

Tom & Ollie is now focused on streamlining its production processes and expanding into new international markets, including Great Britain, France, Belgium, Sweden, and the USA. The company’s vision is to become a leading European producer of clean-label foods, combining science and artisanal taste to meet the growing demand for fresh, preservative-free meals around the world.