PASCAL - The boss man
Born in France and raised in England, I’ve got a blunt sense of humour and a hint of occasional wit that, if I’m honest, has landed me in trouble more than once.
I arrived in Galway in 2005. Having worked in the hospitality industry most of my working life, I soon came to realise that working for someone else just wasn’t my cup of… well, coffee!
I always trusted my own instincts, thinking back now, I was probably a bit of a handful to my ex-employees - so to those of you who put up with my creative reballions, I salute you!
After a couple of years running a franchise for a well known Galway company, I had a lightbulb moment: If I was going to do this, I had to do it my way.
So, in April of 2011, Pascal Coffee House was born, In Edward Square, Galway, followed by Lower Abbeygate Street in 2015.
To mention the personal touch would be an understatement.
From the menus on the tables, to the photos on the wall. From the website you’re browsing right now, to the logo above the door, everything, and I mean everything, is a product of my own creation. No Website Developers or Marketing Managers. No Graphic Designers or Professional Photographers.
Just me, doing what I love, the way I believe it should be done.
MARTA - The boss behind the boss
Meet Marta, our amazing General Manager and the heartbeat of Pascal Coffee House! From Poland, Marta’s not just an extraodinary chef, she’s also the “mama” of our team.
Marta has been by my side for the past seven years (at home and at work), and it’s fair to say the place wouldn’t run the same without her.
While I hide behind spreadsheets, invoices, and the never-ending mission of making sure the bills are paid, Marta is where the real magic happens. She’s on the floor, in the kitchen, and everywhere in between, fixing problems before I even know they exist.
Marta’s got a knack for balancing compassion with a bit of tough love. her Polish straightforwardness might come across as blunt sometimes, but it’s always wrapped in genuine care and attention. Staff love her for her warmth, and the occasional (but well-meaning) stern look.
She’s even had a brief, but unforgettable, appearance on the Masterchef series, as testament to her culinary prowess.
So although the coffee is excellent, the Pancakes legendary, and the team incredible… I know that none of this would feel the same without her by my side.
Let’s Talk Pancakes!
Because that’s a big part of our story now.
Believe it or not, our cafés weren't always all about pancakes. We used to serve more standard coffee shop food like sandwiches, soups and salads. But when Covid came along, everything changed. We had to streamline the menu and operate with fewer staff, which led me to make the big decision: focus on Pancakes.
And boy, did I not see the success that was about to hit us coming. During lockdowns, when the cafés were closed, I personally delivered thousands of pancake and brunch boxes all over Galway. The response blew me away. Our Pancakes proved so popular that when we reopened, we knew we had to keep them. The years following Covid have been our most successful yet, with each year beating the records of the previous one.
I don't say this lightly, because I know how hard Covid was for so many. But for us, it was a turning point. It forced us to think outside the box, and it paid off.
Now, as someone with young kids, now teenagers, I was always a fan of pancakes. But wherever we went, we could never find pancakes that didn't seem pre-made and reheated. So, I vowed that if we were going to do pancakes, we were going to do it right. Freshly made to order, fluffy, and delicious - Pancakes worth talking about. And judging by the queues and the love we've received, I think we got it right.
Fifteen years later, Pascal - Coffee & Pancake House, has become a well-loved part of Galway's café scene - proof that sometimes, trusting your gut (and a whole lot of hard work) really does pay off.