AIT student taking part in national chef competition
Second year culinary arts student in Athlone Institute of Technology, Maria Dunne, will be competing against eight others from around the country in this year's Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year Competition. The competition will take place in TU Dublin, Tallaght, tomorrow (Tuesday).
The theme for this year's competition is “2020 – The Future of Foods”. The nine competitors, some of the most talented culinary students in Ireland, will be challenged to make two dishes inspired by global challenges of sustainability and driving positive change. The competitors will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and skills and create great tasting, nutritious dishes that send a message about improving the planet.
The students competing represent different colleges and institutes across Ireland. Athlone's Maria Dunne will be joined by Stephen Halford, TU Dublin, Tallaght; Marshall Condren, Waterford Institute of Technology; Cathal McDermott, North West Regional College; Ciara Kenneally, Limerick Institute of Technology; Caroline Hayes, Cork Institute of Technology; Van Phuocle, Dundalk Institute of Technology; Conor Addis, South Eastern Regional College and Clodagh Fox, Dublin Institute of Technology.
Audrey Crone, one of the judges, said that “It’s a great honour to represent your college in a competition at this level and it’s truly inspiring to see students eager and excited for the cook-off in a couple of weeks.”
This year will be the 23rd year of the Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year Competition. This year's judging panel features Audrey Crone, executive head chef with Unilever Food Solutions; Darina Brennan, group executive chef of Dalata Hotel Group; Annette Sweeney, co-ordinator of the culinary arts programmes at TU Dublin, Tallaght and a special guest - food journalist, Dee Laffan.