GOOD FOOD: Brehon Head Chef, Chad Byrne (centre) with eight of the commis chefs who took part in the 'Table of Ireland' event at the Irish Hotels Federation Conference last week. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Commis chefs from several top Kerry hotels were given the chance to work with some of Ireland’s best chefs in The Gleneagle earlier this week.

Five of Ireland’s best chefs joined forces to cook with and mentor 10 junior chefs at the Irish Hotels Federation Conference at a very special banquet called the ‘Table of Ireland’.

Head Chef of The Brehon, Chad Byrne, brought the event together and MC’ed the evening. The five senior chefs were ‘More Than Fed’ founder Jonny Davison, Castle Leslie’s Philip Brazil, the Aviva Stadium’s James Smith, Cacao Barry Ambassador Erik Van Der Veken, and James Coffey from The Park Hotel Kenmare.

The commis chefs were Patrick Lihl from The Killarney Park Hotel, Csongor Szondi from The Rose Hotel, Andre Butca from The Cahernane House Hotel, Adam Kania from The Ross Hotel, Abrahma Nur and Dan Moynihan from The Brehon, James O’Sullivan from O’Donoghue Ring Hotels, Andrzej Walkosz-Berda from The Gleneagle Hotel, Jason Nolan from The Aghadoe Heights and Lisa Fleming from The International Hotel.

“One of the best ways to further your career as a chef is to learn from the best,” chef Chad Byrne said. “Having chefs of this calibre all gathered together cooking and coaching was an amazing experience for everyone involved.

“We spent two days prepping and practicing some really incredible dishes, and then served the food to a room full of hoteliers.”

And the reaction was amazing, he added.

“It is not often that you see chefs getting a standing ovation but to get two on the night really showed how special this event was, highlighting our chefs of the future in the best way possible.”