By Michelle Crean  

The heat was on but that didn't deter one culinary student from success as local girl Natalia Leane has made it through to the World Skills Olympics in Shanghai later this year.

Natalia from Killarney, a Second Year culinary student at MTU Kerry Campus, secured gold at the National Cookery Skills Competition for World Skills Ireland which took place from Wednesday to Friday last in the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT).

Natalia's marks were combined after three days of intense competition.

She will join the best of Ireland’s talent and winners from over 20 other skills areas who will have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the World Skills Olympics in Shanghai.

Natalia reached the finals after coming through the preliminary round in January. She began practicing for the competition in October putting in the hours after college with her Chef Lecturer Dan Browne as well as working in the exceptional restaurant ‘Kingdom 1795’ in Killorglin where she received lots of support and guidance.

Over three days Natalia had to complete five competitive modules. These examined very specific culinary skills such as pasta making, game butchery and cooking, soups and canapes, classical risotto, a mystery basket and a dessert module to include a handmade puff pastry. Overall, she completed over 15 hours of competition work. Each day she worked to specific service times for each module, delivering the food under strict conditions.

“Her practice and planning were essential here in delivering the dishes on time," Chef Dan Browne said.

"All dishes required a high standard of skill to produce and it became even harder when multitasking four of these dishes at once as in day two. She was working entirely on her own over the three days preparing and cooking all dishes from start to finish. We are very proud of Natalia’s achievement at this competition, it provided an opportunity for Ireland’s most talented student chefs from colleges all across the country to go head-to-head in this tightly fought contest.”

Head of Section at the Hotel, Culinary and Tourism Department at MTU Kerry TJ O'Connor added that Natalia’s great success is a testament to her dedication, skill and hard work.

"Congratulations also to Chef Dan Browne who ensured Natalia was well prepared for the challenges of the event and was ready to produce her best cooking in the heat of competition. A fantastic achievement for them both. It is such an honour for anyone to win on a national stage but now to go and represent your country in front of the rest of the world.”