Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in a professional kitchen? As part of its Open Kitchen Week initiative running from 11th – 17th November, Chef Network invites you to step ‘behind the pass’ and experience the inner workings of top kitchens across Ireland.
Chef Network launched Open Kitchen Week in 2023 to give aspiring chefs and those passionate about the culinary arts an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and real insight into the industry. The initiative is open to anyone at any stage of their life – from students exploring new career paths to curious seasoned food enthusiasts, or those looking to make a career change, this is a chance to get an insider understanding of what it’s like to work in Ireland’s leading restaurants, hotels, bakeries, cafes and workplace kitchens. Those who have already embarked on a chef career can also use the opportunity to get experience in a different sector or establishment type.
Over 150 guest slots are being offered in a huge variety of kitchens all across the country. If you’ve ever thought you’d like the pace and ambition of a fine-dining restaurant, you can choose from slots in Michelin-starred restaurants Aniar in Galway and Glovers Alley in Dublin, or renowned eateries like Rare at the Blue Haven, Kinsale; Stock in Belfast; or House of Plates, Castlebar.
Those interested in the hotel sector can experience life in Wineport Lodge in Westmeath, Clayton and Maldron Hotels around the country, or the Montenotte in Cork. Or perhaps you see yourself in a castle? Open Kitchen Week presents the incredible opportunity to experience kitchen work at Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara, Cashel Palace Hotel, or Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry.
Aspiring bakers and chocolatiers also have lots to choose from too, with Braw Chocolate & Bakery in Limerick, Grá Chocolate Galway, and Lorge Chocolatier, Kenmare, participating, alongside Bread41 and the Corner Bakery in Dublin. For those who want to explore a kitchen career with day time hours, there are a range of cafés and food truck businesses involved, and sustainable workplace caterers Gather & Gather are offering slots behind the scenes in the kitchens of companies such as LinkedIn, Airbnb, and Primark. Participants can choose to commit to a two-hour shift, a full day, or even a full week, depending on the establishment they select.
Commenting on the launch, Ruth Hegarty, who is spearheading the project for Chef Network, said, “This is a simple idea to open people up to the possibility of careers in professional kitchens. There are huge opportunities in this industry and there are so many great places to work and so many exciting roles on offer. Chefs are really open to having anyone who is interested and enthusiastic to come in and experience the kitchen, but people often don’t always realise this is a possibility. So Open Kitchen Week makes that accessible to everyone.”
Chef Network spokesperson and Culinary Director at Gather & Gather Ireland, Mark Anderson, said, “There really is a role to suit everyone with an interest in cooking professionally, so we encourage people to explore. Of course, the more traditional idea of being a chef in a restaurant or hotel is still there, and some people really suit the pace of those environments. Then there are lots of places doing really outstanding food within casual dining, cafés, and workplace catering settings, which can give people daytime weekday hours, while still being really ambitious and creative. And there are any number of opportunities for people interested in working in bread, pastry and chocolate product development. It is hard to think of a job that has more potential for variety, creativity, and travel, as well as pretty much a guaranteed job for life – people always need to eat!”
Registration for Chef Network’s Open Kitchen Week, taking place from 11th – 17th November 2024, is open now at www.openkitchen.ie
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