The Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI)

The Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI) is an association of qualified professional caterers. Founded in 1956, it was formed primarily to represent managers in the industrial and institutional sectors. In recent years, the membership database has expanded to include a varied cross section of caterers from: Healthcare, Hospitals, Day Care, Schools, Colleges, Banks, Contract Caterers, Training and Teaching, Golf Clubs, Trade, Retired and Honorary members. We have approximately 160 members countrywide.

The association is governed by a council comprising of 15 members. Its aim is to further the interests of members through a varied range of activities, seminars, workshops, conferences and in developing and promoting standards of best practice within the industry. Whenever possible suppliers to the industry – amongst them our own members – sponsor and use these opportunities to promote their products and introduce new lines, thus offering the members an opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in food and equipment technology. We also recognise the need to provide opportunities for the continuing development of our members and we constantly strive for innovative ways and means to expand in this area.

The CMAI has links and representation on many working groups including: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI); The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI); The Irish Health Promotion Hospital Network (HPH); The Irish Hospitality Institute (I.H.I.) and The Irish Institute of Technology (I.T.). In 2005 we joined HCI and extended our links internationally, thus allowing our members networking opportunities with caterers in other countries and expanding their knowledge and information to meet the challenging and changing demands within the industry. Key areas of interest to our members at the moment are: Salt and Health; Obesity, Labelling, Consistency in Inspections, New Standards and Guidelines for Caterers; Hygiene Assessment Accreditation Standards for Acute Hospitals and Nutritional Guidelines.

CMAI is a friendly network, where advice, information, support and assistance is readily available from fellow members. We continue to keep our members updated on new legislation, policies and guidelines affecting their provision of the highest standards of service excellence and professionalism.

Our CMAI Golf Society has developed into an important and vibrant part of the associations activities and is a great opportunity for members to foster those links both on and off the greens!!

Aims and Objectives of the Association

• To promote and foster professional knowledge
• To encourage the highest standards of excellence within the industry
• To further the interest of members through a range of activities, conferences and seminars
• To liaise and co-operate with other organisations with allied interests
• To develop and promote best practice within the industry.

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