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TWO talented chefs from the Northern Ireland Hospitality School cooked up a storm and secured their space in a regional final of Generation Chef, a culinary competition hosted by local Rotary Clubs in partnership with six leading culinary colleges across Northern Ireland.
With a mission to foster community growth and support young talent, the competition challenges aspiring chefs to design and cook a three-course menu for four guests with seasonality and sustainability at its heart. Competitors presented their menus to a judging panel before cooking and serving their dishes for tasting.
Drawing inspiration from the provenance of local food, the two winning chefs created a menu that thoroughly impressed the judges; a panel that incorporated two renowned culinary figures, Gary Stewart Chef Tartine of Distiller Arms and Eddie McGarvey of The Salthouse.
Reflecting on the standard of competition, Gary Stewart said: “We were really impressed by the quality of cooking at this level, the execution, the choices, the link to local produce was very strong. The use of seafood and lamb was of a very high standard, and the menus showed real imagination and balance.”
Commending the students’ success, Ashley Douglas, Operations Director at the Northern Ireland Hospitality School said: “Our chefs have been working hard for the last few weeks, perfecting their menu and skills, which really paid off on the day. Generation Chef was a great opportunity for them to experience designing a full -course menu and producing it under the watchful eye of expert judges.
“The competition was a real confidence boost for our young chefs who performed extremely well under pressure. Experiences like these are invaluable as it will equip them with all the necessary skills and mindset, which they will need for a successful career in the industry.
“We’re very proud of their achievements and are looking forward to competing in the National Final in just a few weeks’ time.”
The Northern Ireland Hospitality School was established in 2021 by three local hotels – Galgorm Resort, Tullyglass House Hotel and the Adair Arms Hotel – with initial funding from The Gallaher Trust and a mission to create and sustain a pipeline of future hospitality talent.
Since its inception, 230 students have graduated across the school’s academies, which span bar, chef and restaurant service disciplines. Building on this success, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School has recently attracted private sector support and has plans to expand its network of hotel partners across the Mid and East Antrim area.
“The Northern Ireland Hospitality School has delivered tangible results over the last five years, and our success in the Generation Chef competition clearly demonstrates just how much of an impact the School is having on individuals and the wider economy by providing high-quality training and subsequent employment opportunities,” said Eddie McKeever, Managing Director of McKeever Group and Chairman of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School.
“We set out to establish the school as a centre of excellence for hospitality training and we’re proud of both, what we have achieved and the reputation we have built.”
Debbie Chestnut, President of the Rotary Club in Ballymena, added: “Today we witnessed an incredibly high standard of culinary skill. It is wonderful to see the next generation of chefs showcasing their talent, and what a superb three-course meal it was. Congratulations to all who participated, and I wish Chad and Quinn of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School every success at the National Final.”
Chad and Quinn, who also work with the Galgorm Collection and the Adair Arms, will now represent the Northern Ireland Hospitality School at the Generation Chef National Final, taking place on Thursday 30 April at The Graduate Restaurant, Southern Regional College, Newry.
Chef News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
