Have you gotthe ingredients?

The Government has cooked up a tasty new initiative that could see ambitious Cork cooks improve their skills and be offered employment in a top hotel chain.

The initiative will see successful candidates offered employment across the Talbot Collection’s hotels including the Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig and Midleton Park Hotel. Launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, the Talbot Collection’s Chef Development Programme is open to candidates nationwide.

The programme will see 20 successful applicants from all over Ireland take part in a 12 week training course in the state-of-the-art training facilities at Marine House, The Murrough, Wicklow Town and Bray Institute of Further Education.

Candidates will be accommodated in the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan for the duration of the programme and will receive a City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Culinary Skills. Upon completion of the work-based programme, successful participants will be offered a two-year employment contract and the opportunity for further education and training through an apprenticeship at one of Talbot Collection’s hotels.

Commenting at the launch, Minister Harris said he is delighted to support such an exciting initiative. “The hospitality, tourism, and catering sector is essential to the Irish economy and unfortunately, it is also a sector that has been so heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With this in mind, I welcome this training programme which is the next phase in a drive to boost the hospitality, tourism and catering workforce, and I look forward to hearing about the success of the future candidates on the programme,” said the Minister.

Philip F Gavin, Group Managing Director of The Talbot Collection said the initiative represents a significant investment for the collection.

“It is widely accepted that there is a shortage of professional chefs nationwide. Never has it been more important to invest in our future, for the future.

“We are very excited to offer this unique and fantastic opportunity to cooking enthusiasts in our communities who wish to pursue a prosperous career as a professional chef.”

The Talbot Collection’s Chef Development Programme will be delivered by the Kildare and Wicklow Education and training Board (KWETB) and is being funded through Skills to Advance, a national initiative providing upskilling opportunities for employees to progress in their careers.

“Eileen Cullen, Training and Innovation Services Manager, from KWETB said: “It’s been a very difficult year for the industry. This new national initiative creates the opportunity for those new to the industry, offering on-the-job learning and the opportunity for employment upon completion” she said.

To apply for the programme, email trainingcourses@kwetb.ie.