About Us

Dr Liz Sheehan has worked for over 18 years as a post-graduate, post-doctorate researcher and lecturer in UCC, as well as more recently establishing and managing Independent Sensory Services Ltd.

For over 10 years Liz was responsible for the management of the sensory science laboratory in the Department of Food & Nutritional Science in UCC where she had the responsibility of recruiting, training and operation of sensory panels, development of methods to enhance panel training and supervision of post-graduate sensory research. She has participated in many FIRM and EC Framework projects involving collaboration with partner institutions in Ireland as well as abroad.

Her research interests relate to sensory properties of a wide variety of foods and beverages.

Liz established Independent Sensory Services Ltd. in August 2005.  The company is dedicated to providing a unique service to the food and beverage sectors and specializes in providing sensory services in the areas of product development, quality control and consumer research.

Siobhan O’ Meara is a qualified food scientist with ten years experience in the food industry. In addition to having completed her post-graduate research into novel instrumental flavour analysis techniques in UCC, she brings with her a wealth of experience in many areas of the food industry. 

Before starting her post-graduate research Siobhan worked for a number of multi-national food companies. Her specialist areas include novel instrumental flavour analysis techniques, product development, quality control, consumer research and the effect of food ingredients on flavour release and perception.

She has also worked on a number of market and consumer research campaigns for top brands.

Trained Panel

At Independent Sensory Services Ltd., we use an established panel of assessors experienced in the sensory analysis of a range of products. 

The majority of the panel was recruited ten years ago and worked for most of that time exclusively in the Sensory Evaluation Section of University College Cork, before joining us at Independent Sensory Services when the company was formed in September 2005. The panel was recruited and screened following international standards (ISO 8586-1, International Organisation for Standardisation, 1993).

Our Clients

Here is a list of some of the companies that we have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years:

AIBP
Breeo
Dawn Farm
Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences UCC
Glanbia Innovation Centre
Kepak
Marigot/Celtic Sea Minerals
Musgraves Retail Partners Ireland Ltd.
Swissco