Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) won three awards at the Chef Ireland Final which took place from February 21-23 at Catex 2023 in the Simmons Court Pavilion, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Jozsef Horvath, Shauna Kelly and Grace Nagle, all of whom are Commis Chef apprentices based at Tipperary ETB’s Further Education and Training Centre in Archerstown, Thurles, were praised by the judges in three separate cooking categories.

Jozsef won the Silver Medal in the National Chef Apprenticeship Skills competition, the highest mark awarded to any ETB student. Meanwhile, Shauna Kelly won Bronze in the Macaroon Tasted Open Class while Grace Nagle came home with a Certificate of Merit in the Cup Cake Tasted Open Class.

Commis Chef Instructor at the Archerstown training facility, Fergal Phelan, was thrilled with the performance of his students:

“Everybody who travelled to Dublin performed to a very high standard. This was a fantastic achievement, particularly as it was our first time competing at CATEX. The feedback from the judges was very positive in their professionalism, hygiene, organisation, and overall quality of their work.”

The cookery competitions at CATEX were organised by the Panel of Chefs of Ireland. Its mission is to promote excellence in all aspects of the Culinary Arts, particularly the development of craft skill training and education in Ireland. This major culinary event affords all chefs throughout the island of Ireland the opportunity to display their exceptional culinary skills, creativity, innovation and techniques.

The emphasis this year was on encouraging young chefs to participate, visit and learn more about the skills needed to thrive in the hospitality industry.

The Further Education and Training Centre in Archerstown is establishing an excellent name for itself in the culinary world. This is the second time apprentices from the centre have come out on top when competing in national competitions.

The centre offers a two-year Commis Chef training programme for employees in the industry to achieve the skills necessary in an internationally recognised qualification, a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts. The work-based apprenticeship offers learners the opportunity to work and learn with two days in class and three days working with their employer.

A new class of Commis Chef Apprentices is scheduled to begin the two-year programme in November 2023, and any employers who wish to reserve a place on this programme should contact Apprenticeship Services on 052 6191431.

From September, the Archerstown centre will also offer the Hospitality Operations Traineeship which gives school leavers and mature learners the opportunity to gain a QQI Level 5 award in the hospitality sector. The course has been delivered in the centre in recent years, and provides great progression pathways to work and higher education.

Tipperary ETB has also linked up with Mary Immaculate College Thurles and is offering a progression pathway for students who have obtained eight distinctions at Level 5 and pass the competitive interview process for entry to the Home Economics Level 8 Degree Programme.

Students can contact course recruitment on 052 6191433 to obtain further information on this course.

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