Darren Harris

Darren Harris is the current Bakery Programme Chair in TU Dublin and the Head of Food Manufacturing Innovation for Rialto Labs. Darren is a specialist in R&D, new product development, and food technology consultancy. He understands the complex journey from bench sample to supermarket shelf for some of Ireland’s and Europe’s most recognised FMCG brands. His rare ability to move fluently between factory floor, development team, and senior management makes him one of the most practically grounded voices in the Irish food sector.   Darren's dynamic partnership with Rialto Labs grew from his expertise gained from decades of technical reporting at the cutting edge of food innovation — from the floor of one of Irelands largest plant bakeries to the lecture halls of TU Dublin’s renowned School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, where he shapes the next generation of food professionals. Darren is a strong advocate for how R&D / technical work can be transformational and also enhanced using Bespoke Purpose Built Innovation technology such as Robin Food Pro (and through portable handheld lab devices known as "Quick Safe" from Rialto Labs ) Beyond industry, Darren supports the Board of the Coeliac Society of Ireland and has built a distinguished consultancy practice focused on R&D tax and grants, food technology strategy, mentoring and process innovation — working with some of the largest food companies in Ireland. At FoodTech 2026, he brings that full spectrum of experience to the stage — real, hard-won insight into what innovation in Irish food actually looks like when it works and how Irish firms can benefit from his insights .