With the chef shortage continuing to plague the hospitality sector in Ireland, there was some welcome news today (16 March) in the shape of 190 aspiring chefs successfully graduating from Fáilte Ireland's pilot Commis Chef Programme.
Initiated last November, the programme was designed to respond to the growing skills need identified in the hospitality sector. Fáilte Ireland said to date in excess of 95 per cent of participants have secured jobs as an outcome of this programme.
The practical, hands-on, competency based programme was delivered in 12 locations across the country over an 8-10 week period and provided all the skills a person would need to begin working in a professional hospitality kitchen, said the tourism body.
Speaking about this first group of graduates, John Mulcahy, Head of Hospitality at Fáilte Ireland, said: "Fáilte Ireland recently developed this new Commis Chef Programme in response to a growing need within the tourism and hospitality industry. We are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to Ireland’s next generation of aspiring chefs and we have received very encouraging feedback from both participating businesses and students".
Businesses Participating in Fáilte Ireland’s Culinary Programm:
|
Particpating Businesses |
Total Graduates |
|
Howth Castle, Dublin |
17 |
|
Ryeland House Cookery School, Kilkenny |
9 |
|
Just Cooking, Killarney, Co Kerry |
6 |
|
Donegal Cookery School |
12 |
|
St. Angela's College, Lough Hill, Co. Sligo |
31 |
|
The Swilly Group, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal |
15 |
|
ETB Limerick |
17 |
|
School of Food, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny |
16 |
|
The School of Cookery, Artane, Dublin |
16 |
|
Bray Institute of Further Education, Co. Wicklow |
15 |
|
Hook and Ladder, Tramore, Waterford |
12 |
|
Cooks Academy, South William St, Dublin 2 |
24 |
|
TOTAL |
190 |
