Galway Races have made another announcement about a much loved local business coming aboard in the run up to the summer festival.
The decadent Galway based Grá Chocolates, founded by Head Chocolatier and award-winning Pastry Chef Gráinne Mullins, are the latest sponsors of the race week programme.
Gráinne, grand-daughter of former track manager Captain Luke Mullins, has signed a two-year sponsorship deal for the fifth race on Saturday, July 30, ‘The Grá Chocolate’s Maiden’.
Speaking about her company’s new deal, Gráinne Mullins said that the races have always had a special place in her heart.
“It’s a place to gather and celebrate, a week that makes the city come alive and showcases the best of Galway.”
“I grew up attending the Galway Races with my grandfather, Captain Luke Mullins so to be able to be a part of it with Grá Chocolates is really an honour.”
Along with the race sponsorship, Grá Chocolates have also created a limited edition range inspired by the Galway Races, with each chocolate individually hand painted to match its them: The Track, The Hurdle, Ladies Day, Killanin, and The Galway Plate.
Gráinne Mullins is a pastry chef with over 10 years’ experience in high level, fine dining establishments and the current holder of the Eurotoques Young Chef of the Year title.
Cooking was a big part of her childhood as she grew up in Galway respecting good food.
Her path as a professional chef has seen her work in the pastry section of five-star hotels, as well as two years in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Returning home to work in pastry in many of Ireland’s leading kitchens, the self-taught chef was the winner of the prestigious 2019 Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year.
Channelling the skills, artistry and joy she has learned from some of the country’s most talented chefs, Gráinne founded Grá Chocolates in her hometown of Kilchreest in 2020.
Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse Michael Moloney said that partnering with Gráinne is special because of her family’s “deep connection” with the races.
“The quality of Grainne’s business, her expertise and growth has been phenomenal and a real testimony to her hard work and ambition.”
“This sponsorship deal is a great synergy and we’re excited to have a new and delicious brand like Grá Chocolates as part of our Summer Festival”.
The Galway Races Summer Festival is storming back into action this July in Ballybrit, welcoming spectators back to the racecourse after two challenging years.
