The Crew
“We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other”
Being a part of the 56 Central Crew is like being a part of a big family. The Crew are known to spend numerous evenings throughout the year bonding, weather that is through bowling, pizza nights or a visit to the cinema. When you come into the restaurant it is evident that the crew get on well together, laughing away and having the craic, as well as doing some work of course….
People thought we were crazy turning our restaurant into a yoga room in the morning for the crew to stretch it out with Sinead from Love YOGA, or doing Tai Chi with Colin and of course there was the night Dolores came in and we a did a Chakra Dance….. but now everyone is doing it!
If you are a crew member in 56 Central - you will no doubt be put through some unique style training by Gill - where managers start meetings by saying what they are grateful for or by having a few minutes of time out to meditate. Staff training sees all crews shouting out some top qualities they see in each other while standing out in the Buddha Garden.
Contribution is built into the crew - giving back to the community in many ways - be it staff raising money for their favourite charity or the Galway Simon Community which every year sees crew members joining Gill to sleep out. Every year we pick someone we can support.
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By using their €5 gold ticket to treat a customer to something special to make their day - its in the ethos of 56 Central and all the crew are encouraged to make WOW moments.
Managers often head for a spa day together so they can unwind and chill out, go to Salthill for a sea swim, head for a gym session or a trip to Dublin for some exploring.
Management Team
Our management team consists of some epic leaders who bring the magic to 56 Central every day. A fun bunch who have a common goal of living by our company core values and offering outstanding customer service ensuring 56 Central is the best place to work
Managers trip to Dublin
Gill, Sophia, Aislinn and Christina on a work trip to Dublin to explore new restaurants, foods, menus, customer service and team bonding of course
Arentas
Head Chef Arentas has been working in 56 Central from day 1.
He started his career with Gill out in our sister café 37 West in 2012.
During his time in the company he studied in GMIT in Culinary Arts.
Arentas says his favourite thing about 56 Central is the craic he has with the crew, as Head Chef he has created a fun and family friendly environment for the team to work in, making sure all the dads get some time off with the kids.
In his spare time Arentas loves spending time with his family, cooking and watching football. He loves Galway City as it is multicultural and a great place for the whole family. Fun fact about Arentas – he used to be a wedding singer!
Arentas shares some of his delicious recipes and ideas on his Instagram account @arentas_food. He is currently writing a cookery book with all his flavours and delights from childhood to now.
Catalina is our Assistant Manager coming all the way from Italy with strong Romania roots. In 2024 she was crown the top Employee Excellence Winner in Galway and then she won at the All Irelands ‘Connacht Employee Excellence Award’ Cata as she is known to us completed her Emerging Leadership Cert in the summer of 2024. A bit like Gill you will hear her before you see her - then when you see her you will never know what her hair colour will be!
Aidas our 2nd Chef has worked in 56 Central for a number of years and has progressed to become the second in command of our busy kitchen. He has so many passions out side work, so work life balance for him is important and we admire that and his total dedication to making delicious food!
Sergie is our strong leader who manages the whole kitchen and the building making sure we can open our doors daily in a clean, bright, safe way. Sergie is head of ‘thoughtful gifting’ if it’s a special occasion he will always arrive with chocolates to celebrate.
Sergie, Arentas , Aidas - the Kitchen Dream Team
David our Head Barista at 56 Central
David has been working in 56 Central since 2015. Every week David comes to work he brings a sense of fun, so it was no wonder he was crowned Mr Bubble in 2019 in college …. he said Gill should be crown Mrs Bubble and we agree. The pair can mostly be found in her office roaring laughing during their shifts at work.
A few key points about David ….he is the only person in 56 Central who can do a pull up, he is also the only one who can dance so at staff parties you better be prepared for a good dance off and David is the only one who has represented Ireland in the Olympics - now you can see why we hired David!
David has recently received his Barista training Cert and is making tasty coffees in 56 Central every week now. David attends Arts Alive weekly and has created some epic art pieces which are on display in 56 Central.
Gill and David both train at the Train Station gym … Gill still cant do a pull up!
