Students from the Institute of Technology Tralee travelled to Dublin on February 6^th and 7^th to represent the Institute’s Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Department at the Chef Ireland Culinary Competitions. The national competition, organised by the Panel of Chefs of Ireland and endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies, is held as part of one of Ireland`s largest hospitality and culinary events, Food and Bev Live 2018.

Food and Bev live provides an opportunity for Ireland’s most talented student chefs and hospitality students from colleges all across the country to go head-to-head in tightly fought contest across a broad variety of competitions.

The team of four students from the IT Tralee, who are currently studying a 3-year BA in Culinary Arts, competed across three categories and they were not left lacking when it came to prizes.

Shaun O Connor from Valentia Island achieved a bronze medal in the Irish Lamb competition where he showcased the very best of Kerry produce in using a lamb rump from Ring of Kerry Lamb. In the Silver Hill Duck senior competition, Nita Comerford Moul from Dingle and James O Sullivan from Castleisland were both awarded a bronze medal. Victoria Rinsma from Canada, who joined the programme at IT Tralee this year, took part in the Irish Beef Fillet competition open class and was awarded a bronze medal. The college mentor for all competitors was Chef Lecturer Dan Browne (Listowel). With the exception of the Lamb competition the students were competing in Open and Senior Class competitions against all levels of qualified chefs.

Commending the students on their achievements, Head of Departments of Business & Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Ray O’Connor-Desmond said: “We would like to congratulate and acknowledge how proud we are of our students and their great achievement on a national stage. There is no doubt that such achievements will greatly enhance their future career prospects. We would also like to make special mention of Chef Dan Browne, for his dedication and commitment in preparing the students for the competition and all those who helped make this a reality for the students.”

Two students from the National Learning Network in Tralee, who are currently undertaking the Minor Award in Culinary Skills Springboard Programme at the Institute of Technology Tralee, Imelda O Reilly and Craig Coady, were also awarded bronze medals in the Irish Pork Junior Class & Hot Dessert Open Class. Imelda was announced as the overall class winner in the Hot Dessert Open Class competition.