APPRENTICE CHEF PROGRAMME TO GO “NATIONWIDE”

 This week on Friday 4 May the Apprentice Chef Programme, which is supported by Flogas Ireland and Failte Ireland, will be featured on RTE’s Nationwide ahead of the 2017/2018 final cook off at IT Tralee.  

On Thursday 10 May 27 students from secondary schools across Munster and Leinster, including 6 students from 4 schools in Kerry, will don their chef whites and spend the morning in the college’s professional kitchens to create their individually designed dishes.

Repro Free - 11.5.17 Free Image . KERRY STUDENT WINS SCHOOLS APPRENTICE CHEF . 17 year old Padriac Randles from Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co Kerry carried off the Supreme Apprentice Chef title for 2017 Today Thursday 11 May, secondary school students from across Munster travelled to IT Tralee for the final service in the 2016/2017 Flogas Ireland and Failte Ireland sponsored Schools Apprentice Chef Programme. Pictured fro L/R - , joint 2nd Lauren Wall from Co Waterford , Emily O'Hara Mileton joint 2nd ( WINNER ) Padraic Randles Supreme Apprentice Chef title for 2017 and Kelly English Midelton 3rd Runner Up . Photo By Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD - www.dwalshphoto.ie Tralee Co Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone : 00353 87 26 72 033 Land Line : 00 353 66 71 22 981 E/mail : info@dwalshphoto.ie WEB Site : www.dwalshphoto.ie

Since October 2017 over 800 students have enjoyed a series of demonstrations and workshops as part of the programme which aims to promote the importance of healthy eating to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, encourage young people to consider a culinary career to help combat the current chef crisis in Ireland and contribute to the development of self confidence and self esteem. 

 The finalists have been mentored by accomplished chefs Mark Doe (Just Cooking Cookery School, Firies), Louise Brosnan (Solas Tapas & Wine Bar, Dingle), Mark Staples (Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork) and Bart O Sullivan (Sea Lodge Hotel, Waterville), and supported by nutritional therapist, Susie Cox.  Each dish created by the students must have a “Good Mood Food” influence.

 This is the sixth year of the Apprentice Chef Programme which was established by Mark Doe of Just Cooking Cookery School in Firies, Co Kerry and Mark Murphy, lecturer in Culinary Arts at IT Tralee.  The duo received the Munster Local Food Hero accolade at this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards.

Co-founder Mark Doe said, “Almost 4000 secondary school students have attended workshops and cookery demonstrations since we started the Apprentice Chef in 2012 with students from Kerry and Limerick.  In the second year schools from Co Cork participated and last year we were delighted to collaborate with Waterford IT and students from Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford signed up.  The geographic reach has extended this year and for the first time we welcomed students from Laois, Wicklow and Dublin.”

Pictured on the day were -- Today Thursday 11 May, secondary school students from across Munster travelled to IT Tralee for the final service in the 2016/2017 Flogas Ireland and Failte Ireland sponsored Schools Apprentice Chef Programme. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ KERRY STUDENT WINS SCHOOLS APPRENTICE CHEF 17 year old Padriac Randles from Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co Kerry carried off the Supreme Apprentice Chef title for 2017. It was his second year to enter the competition and he won for his dish of marinated pan fried Skeaghanore duck fillet, potato rosti, spring roll with celeriac and cabbage, carrot purée, toasted hazelnuts and sweet potato crisps. Joint second place was awarded to Emily O Hara from Midleton College in Cork for her pan seared bream and Lauren Wall from St Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford for her herb crusted fillet of cod. Kelly English from St Colman’s Community College in Midleton, Co Cork received third place for her “Lemon Trio & Chocolate Surprise.” All finalists experienced an authentic restaurant environment in the kitchens at IT Tralee and served dishes which ranged from “green tea smoked chicken with cauliflower rice, apple & fennel slaw” to “pistachio, courgette and lemon cake” to a panel of discerning judges. As the winner, Padraic, who was participating in the programme for a second year, walked away with a prize package that included a set of professional knives, €1000 equipment for his school, Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine in Kenmare, a year’s subscription to Easyfood Magazine and a professional food styling session at Easyfood Magazine HQ this summer. In addition, the specially commissioned Supreme Apprentice Chef perpetual trophy was presented to Padraic by Michael Murphy, sales representative for Flogas Ireland. Addressing an audience comprising students, teachers and fami

The Apprentice Chef has been supported by Flogas Ireland since the beginning. Eoin O’Flynn, marketing manager, Flogas Ireland, said, “As one of the main suppliers of LPG and natural gas and now electricity to the catering and hospitality sector, we’ve always been very keen to support the development of young culinary talent. The Apprentice Chef programme has been an outstanding initiative in this respect and deserving of the increased national recognition that RTE’s Nationwide will bring.” 

The standard of dishes produced by participants is extremely high. Last year’s Supreme Apprentice Chef, Padráic Randles from Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co Kerry served a marinated pan fried Skeaghanore duck fillet, potato rosti, spring roll with celeriac and cabbage, carrot purée, toasted hazelnuts and sweet potato crisps.  It was the Kerry student’s 2ndyear competing and he is planning to study hospitality management at college in September.

 All finalists receive a specially commissioned Ambri chopping board, a Just Cooking cookbook and their Apprentice Chef monogrammed chef uniform.  The Supreme Apprentice Chef will also enjoy a styling session at Easyfood Magazine HQ this summer and receive the unique perpetual trophy.

 

For more information on the Apprentice Chef visit www.theapprenticechef.ie  and www.facebook.com/theapprenticechef