Chef Thomas McKeown is a recognized leader in bringing quality, locally-sourced ingredients to hotel dining. He joined Hyatt Regency Atlanta as Executive Chef in 2015, and oversees all of the landmark hotel’s dining experiences, including Polaris, Sway, Twenty-Two Storys and Market, as well as in-room dining, special events and banquet operations.

Under his leadership, Hyatt Regency Atlanta partners with 70 local farms, dairies and independent purveyors to plate the freshest quality ingredients for his guests. Chef Thomas is a longtime partner of the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market, the largest producer-only Georgia’s largest vendor run farmers market, and an organizer of “The Good Taste Series,” Hyatt’s global chef’s competition.

Born and trained in Europe, McKeown began his culinary career at the prominent Limerick Golf Club in Ireland. He completed his culinary training on both sides of the Atlantic at the Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland and Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, where he earned a Master’s degree in Food Service Education. Following his studies, McKeown refined his knowledge of contemporary American cuisine as Sous Chef at the exclusive Somerset Club in Boston and moved on to become Executive Chef at Atlanta’s Ellis Hotel. He joined Hyatt as Executive Chef at Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead in 2010.

Chef McKeown is a member of Hyatt’s Sustainable and Responsible Eating Team, a Hyatt initiative that promotes serving local, healthy and responsibly raised ingredients in all Hyatt dining experiences. In 2013, McKeown was awarded “Executive Chef of the Year” by Hyatt Hotels. Passionate about food and an advocate of local and sustainable sourcing, McKeown is also involved with the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia. When he’s not in the kitchen, he can be found at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market or at local farms with his wife Lacy and three children.

Over the past 10 plus years, Judith McLoughlin has become one of the most recognized Irish faces and brands in Atlanta, throughout the American South, and abroad. A chef, cookbook author, and resident of Roswell, GA, Judith hails from Co. Armagh, in the heart of rural Northern Ireland, where she learned the techniques of the Scots-Irish culinary tradition from her family, who had generations of experience in the Irish hospitality & restaurant business.

Moving to the United States with her husband Gary in the 1990s, Judith eventually started an Irish themed business in the Atlanta area, the Shamrock and Peach, hosting cooking classes, teaching Irish cooking techniques, and bringing her charm and fun wherever she went. She and Gary published her first cookbook in 2011, and launched the tours portion of their business in 2012, leading numerous discovery tours from the United States to Ireland each year that showcase the beauty and sophistication of modern Ireland. Her second cookbook, A Return to Ireland, debuted at last year's IrishFest!

Judith returns to IrishFest Atlanta this year to contribute lovely food items prepared for the Irish Tea! She will also serve as a judge along with Chef McKeown at this year's Irish Bread Baking Contest.

Look for Judith at her vendor booth during the festival to get a copy of her cookbooks and learn more about her food/culture and tour offerings!