Skills excellence tops the menu

Skills Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today paid tribute to the high standard of culinary talent on display at the first Northern Ireland Hospitality Skills Cookery Competition.

Held in the Newry Campus of Southern Regional College, the competition was designed to identify and select young chef talent to go forward to qualify for UK national finals, which could see them compete in WorldSkills 2011 in London. Held every two years, WorldSkills is the world’s greatest skills showcase event, involving over 850 of the best young professionals from trades, service and vocational programmes from around the world.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said: “Skills competitions are an excellent practical working example of the effective link between skills and industry. The need to train and qualify more chefs is a real issue for the hospitality sector. Skills competitions such as this provide a mechanism to both improve sector attractiveness and raise standards of training and performance by promoting world class skills in hospitality.”

The Minister continued: “As we look forward to the UK Skills competition, and ultimately WorldSkills, we hope that today’s successes will herald the start of a journey of personal achievement and acclaim for these young chefs.”

The competition was created by the Sector Skills Council, People 1st and local chef, Sean Owens and supported by the Department for Employment and Learning. At the event competitors were required to prepare, cook and present 24 high quality pieces of finger food and a three course meal of their choice within a specified time.

Roisin McKee, Northern Ireland Manager with People 1st, said: “We are delighted with the standard of entries received from individuals who are eager to excel to the very top of their profession now and in the future. This competition gives all our young chefs a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills at an event designed to showcase the very best talent that Northern Ireland has to offer.

“Northern Ireland has a great tradition of winning skills competitions in cookery and in doing so have raised the standards for all in our industry. The competition provides an excellent platform and a chance for young chefs both in industry and college to rise to magnificent heights on a world stage under the auspices of WorldSkills.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Cookery Competition is being sponsored by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Stephens Catering and Calor Gas, and co-ordinated by leading local Chef Patron Sean Owens on behalf of People 1st and in conjunction with Southern Regional College.
2. The Cookery Competition is open to all students and chefs over the age of 16, working or studying in Northern Ireland. It is a ‘feeder’ competition, which will link into the UK finals, from which the UK Squad for WorldSkills 2011 will be selected.
3. WorldSkills is the largest skills competition in the world and takes place every two years in one of the 50 host member nations. Competitions are held in over 40 skill areas, including autobody repair, beauty therapy and refrigeration.
4. The UK is hosting WorldSkills in London between 6 and 9 October 2011. The competition will take place at the Excel Exhibition and Conference Centre.
5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 90 257872. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076997 15440, and your call will be returned