Downpatrick SERC Students Cook Up All-Ireland Bronze

During the three day event CATEX host a number of competitions representing all aspects of the food sector including Ireland’s Young Chef of the Year. The competitions provide a platform for recognising the talents of professional and trainee chefs. [caption id="attachment_22153" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="South Down MLA Jim Wells is pictured with the award winning students Erin Wright, Adam McLean, Shane Rush, Mark Doran, Declan Megoran and Darren Flynn. Also included are Ken Webb, SERC Principal and Chief Executive and SERC Governor, Jack Ferris."][/caption] Under the tutelage of SERC lecturer Michael Gillies, a former chef at the Lough Erne Resort, the students were required to prepare two main dishes within a set time limit from the categories of Open Fish, Junior Lamb, Chicken and Larder. An individual competition the students collected an impressive seven bronze medals and a certificate of merit. The award winning students were Downpatrick local Darren Flynn, Newcastle man Shane Rush, Declan Megoran from Ballynahinch, Mark Doran from Annalong and Castlewellan pair Adam McLean and Erin Wright.xa0 Erin picked up two bronze medals and Mark was awarded a certificate of merit along with his bronze medal. By competing in the competition the students had an opportunity to test their talents against bright, up and coming young chefs from all over Ireland and performed admirably to be recognised with bronze medal awards. Michael Gillies said, “It’s quite a remarkable achievement for the students to have won medals in an All-Ireland competition considering they only began their cookery careers in September of last year. With only a few months training they were able to compete against the best in Ireland and come away with bronze medals. “The students are already talking about next year’s competition and have set their sights on the gold. If they keep applying themselves while at the College and on work placement I have no doubt that they have the potential to take the top prize.”]]>