Killaloe student wins first final of cheffing contest

A KILLALOE student has won the first final of the Junior Chef Ireland contest which was held in Limerick.

Mia Hennelly from St Anne's School in the Clare town was named winner of the event which was hosted by the Limerick Central Rotary Club in conjunction with the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB).

The Technological University of the Shannon's campus in Moylish played host to the contest, which saw six students chosen to compete in the final.

Mia became the first budding chef to receive a perpetual trophy which was sponsored by Luke Nolan of KBR Foodservice Equipment.

She also received a set of professional kitchen knives thanks to Sinead Marron of the Limerick Central Rotary Club.

Organiser Tom Flavin, the executive chef at the Limerick Strand Hotel and youth chair of Limerick Central Rotary Club said: "Putting the talents of these budding chefs in the spotlight will help to highlight the many opportunities for students wishing to take up culinary arts as a profession, either by apprenticeships or in full-time third level education courses throughout Ireland. We are looking forward to repeating this successful competition next year."

Bernadette Enright, campus manager of the ETB's college of further education and training hospitality campus added: "We must continue to support and encourage hospitality training at secondary school level. It’s incredible to see the talent that has been demonstrated in the competition."