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Mick Tweedie, Head Chef of the Oak Room and his apprentice Eoin McDonnell. Photo: Adrian McCarthy, Grandview Media
APPRENTICES from across Ireland will converge at The Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, next month to compete in the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Competition.
Organised by the Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB) in partnership with the Irish Hotel Federation and other industry stakeholders, this event on February 7 is poised to not only display exceptional culinary skills but also shed light on a crucial solution to Ireland’s ongoing hospitality staff crisis.
The participating apprentices represent a diverse cross-section of emerging talent from Kerry ETB, Cork ETB, Tipperary ETB, Limerick & Clare ETB, Kilkenny & Carlow ETB, Kildare & Wicklow ETB, Cavan & Monaghan ETB, Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETB, City of Dublin ETB and promises to showcase a melting pot of creativity and passion.
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Beyond the competition, the event offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain valuable insights into the world of apprenticeship.
Live cookery and display competitions will be complemented by inspiring talks from prominent figures in the culinary world, aiming to address the current challenges faced by the hospitality sector.
Among the highlights are guest speakers Mike Tweedie, Head Chef of the Oak Room, and Eddie Attwell, Head Chef of Eccles Hotel Glengarriff. Tweedie and Attwell will share first-hand how the Commis Chef Apprenticeship played a pivotal role in growing their teams, offering a tangible success story for businesses considering similar initiatives.
A panel discussion featuring culinary leaders John Drummond, Brendan Byrne, Emer Corridan, and Odhran Lucey will underscore the importance of mentoring and training the next generation of chefs. Their insights will contribute to the broader conversation about the role apprenticeships play in ensuring the future success of the hospitality industry.
Mallory Higgins, National Apprenticeship Programme Coordinator who is leading the event, emphasises its significance in addressing the current hospitality staff crisis in Ireland: “The Commis Chef Apprenticeship Showcase is not just a competition; it’s a celebration of the industry’s upcoming talent and a practical solution to the staffing challenges faced by the hospitality sector in Ireland. By highlighting success stories like Mike Tweedie and Eddie Attwell, we aim to inspire more businesses to invest in apprenticeships and grow their own skilled teams.”
Mike Tweedie, Head Chef of the Oak Room, adds; “The apprenticeship programme gives the apprentice the foundations they need and what we do in the restaurant is reinforce what they learned in college. I have two great chefs from the apprenticeship programme already and I have just taken on a third. One day I hope they are better than me and they have their own Michelin star, that means I have done my job, and it is a great thing for me to watch personally”
As Ireland grapples with a shortage of skilled hospitality staff, this event serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing tangible solutions that not only nurture emerging talent but also address the pressing needs of the industry.
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