Galway native Ruairí Grealish will represent Ireland at WorldSkills 2019 in Russia after taking the title of National Champion in Restaurant Service at the Ireland Skills Competition 2019.
The competition took place at Ireland Skills Live on the 21st to the 23rd of March at the RDS. Restaurant Service focused on the skills of fine dining, banqueting, casual dining, and bar/ barista, with an emphasis on the importance of classic skills integrated with modern service skills. Judges looked for natural flair, ability, and an extremely high level of customer service.
The winners will go on to represent Ireland at WorldSkills, the world’s largest education and skills competition, which will take place in Kazan, Russia in August.
Ruairí is a student at Shannon College of Hotel Management and developed his passion for the hospitality industry working in his family business, The Kings Head. Ruairí now works weekends in The Kings Head Bistro as Restaurant Supervisor.
Ruairí said, “I began working in the pub at a young age, first in the kitchen and in the last couple of years front of house. In The Kings Head there was an emphasis on customer care and an attention to detail regarding food and drink, so I’m very grateful to my parents for instilling those qualities in me. The training and support I’ve gotten from Shannon College has just been fantastic as well. I’m delighted with this win and can’t wait for Russia! ”
Ruairí will train full-time from the start of June until August under the supervision of Andrew Langford, WorldSkills Ireland Restaurant Service Expert at Shannon College.
Andrew said, “I am absolutely delighted that Ruairí has won, and it is great to have Shannon College representing Ireland on the world stage again. He worked hard to prepare for the competition and his dedication has paid off. I look forward to working with Ruairí to prepare for the WorldSkills in Kazan at the end of the summer”.
WorldSkills 2019 is taking place from the 22nd to the 27th of August in Kazan, Russia and Ruairí will be attending with a team of 15 young Irish people.
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