Michael Gillies

Michael Gillies is a Senior Lecturer in Culinary Arts Management within the Department of Hospitality Tourism & Events Management at Ulster University Business School. He serves as Course Director for the BSc Culinary Arts Management program and maintains an active presence in both academic and professional culinary communities.

Dr. Gillies completed his honours degree in Culinary Arts at Ulster University before gaining extensive industry experience in 5-star hotels and Michelin-listed restaurants worldwide. He returned to academia, completing a PGCFHE in 2009, followed by PGCE Higher Education Practice, and most recently a Masters in Education (MEd) in 2023.

His research focuses on consumer perceptions of food, outreach programs, food safety culture, and pedagogical research on digital technology in teaching. Gillies has published in academic journals and conference proceedings across these domains, with particular emphasis on small food businesses and safety culture interventions.

Gillies' scholarly work demonstrates consistent progression from educational outreach topics in 2019 toward increasingly sophisticated food safety culture research, culminating in a 2025 review article in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. His work bridges academic theory with practical industry applications, particularly in small food business contexts.

• Institute of Hospitality Lecturer of the Year 2020
• The Royal Academy Of Culinary Arts Honorary Award 2024
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Chartered Management Business Educator (CMBE)
• Member of the Institute of Hospitality (MIH)

Gillies actively engages in consultancy with industry partners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, leveraging Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland funding for research that improves product development and recipe specifications. He serves as an external examiner for Queen Margaret University and sits on the advisory board for IFEX and the Chef Network. Gillies also oversees the Culinary Salons at Ulster University, which promote experiential learning for students, and was instrumental in securing the Craft Guild of Chefs validation award and Green Key sustainability award for the institution.