CHEF NETWORK SKILLNET TO DELIVER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR CHEFS

Chef Network will now be recognised as an official training body for Ireland’s chefs. The online chef community, with almost 3000 members, has been awarded Skillnet funding to provide professional development training for the sector. The funding will be used to support training across the areas of Personal & Leadership, Business and Culinary Skills for chefs.  Speaking at the launch of the Chef Network Skillnet Training, Head of Community with Chef Network, Ruth Hegarty said: “This is a really exciting development for Chef Network. Having established a community for Ireland’s chefs, our next step is to focus on expanding the knowledge and skills base of chefs within the industry, the establishment of Chef Network Skillnet allows us the opportunity to achieve that goal.”

Chef Network, an Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) initiative, is a peer learning and knowledge sharing platform spearheaded by its members, which aims to tackle industry challenges, find positive solutions to improve the sector and showcase the career opportunities for chefs in Ireland.

John Cunningham, Chair of IFSA, at the launch of the Chef Network Skillnet Training breakfast meeting, which took place at Food & Bev Live 2018 in Citywest Hotel & Conference Centre on Wednesday, 7th February said  “The initiatives rolled out by Chef Network are pioneering the way forward in this sector. IFSA is proud to be supporting Chef Network and the future of chefs in Ireland.”

The training delivered by Chef Network Skillnet is tailored and chef-led with primarily short programmes and modules aimed at advancing careers and upskilling. 36 individual training courses will take place nationwide in 2018. Some of the courses available include:

• Leading and Managing People
• Cost Management and Kitchen Profitability
• Tackling Food Waste
• Culinary Skills including Sourdough Baking, Plating & Presentation, Seaweed Cookery
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Chefs & employers wishing to take part in the Chef Network Skillnet can avail of training for their teams by emailing [email protected] or can view the Training Calendar for 2018 on www.chefnetwork.ie. 
The Chef Network Skillnet is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.
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Chefs can sign-up to Chef Network for free at www.chefnetwork.ie, where they can set-up a profile, join communities, discussion forums, search and post job vacancies and join in educational events. For more information on IFSA, its members and its initiatives for 2018 visit www.ifsa.eu.com

Pictured are: Mark Anderson, Gather & Gather, Julianne Forrestal, Sodexo, Mick McHugh, Skillnets, Danni Barry, Clenaghans Restaurant and John Cunningham, IFSA