Grow HQ is the home of the GIY (Grow It Yourself) movement, the brainchild of social entrepreneur Michael Kelly, and opened in October 2016. Set on four acres in Waterford City it is conveniently located with free on-site parking. The award-winning 65 seat eatery serves nutritious and delicious seasonal food where home-grown vegetables take centre stage and free-range local meat, poultry, fish and cheese are also showcased. The distance from plot to plate is around 112 steps.
Richard Mee and the garden team grow it, JB Dubois and the kitchen team cook it, and the customers eat it. The team at Grow HQ, with Manager Claire McCabe at the helm, are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and passion for food empathy. Guests can learn how to grow, cook and be well in the two dedicated training rooms or the garden.
There are classes in everything from foraging to fermenting, beginners guide to growing, vegan cooking, sprouting to beekeeping and kids camps during the school holidays. There are also several yoga and mindfulness classes every week in the cosy room upstairs.
The eco-building with its distinctive green roof was designed with accessibility in mind. All internal and external flooring is on one level, doorways are large with movable tables and chairs to give ample space to manoeuvre, relax and enjoy the space.
The urban demo garden is where the RTÉ TV programme Grow Cook Eat is filmed and shows just exactly how much food can be grown in one small space.
Grow HQ has received many accolades since opening such as inclusion in The Irish Times 2018 Top 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland, numerous Irish Restaurant Awards and inclusion in Food and Wine Magazine, McKenna’s Guides, The Sunday Times, Waterford Chamber and more.
When visiting Grow HQ expect a warm, bright and good-humoured welcome with a food ethos that’s home-grown, fresh, organic, healthy and delicious. If guests are time-pressed they can avail of a range of takeaway coffees, teas, soups and sandwiches.
