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Culinary Showcase Offers Solutions to Ireland’s Hospitality Staff Crisis

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Apprentices from across Ireland converged at The Great Southern Hotel to compete in the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Competition on Wednesday.

Organised by the Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB) in partnership with the Irish Hotel Federation and other industry stakeholders, this event not only displayed exceptional culinary skills but also shed light on a crucial solution to Ireland's ongoing hospitality staff crisis.

The participating apprentices represent a diverse cross-section of emerging talent from Kerry ETB, Cork ETB, Tipperary ETB, Limerick and Clare ETB, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, Kildare and Wicklow ETB, Cavan & Monaghan ETB, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, City of Dublin ETB and promises to showcase a melting pot of creativity and passion

Beyond the competition, the event offered a unique opportunity for attendees to gain valuable insights into the world of apprenticeship.

Live cookery and display competitions were complemented by inspiring talks from prominent figures in the culinary world, aiming to address the current challenges faced by the hospitality sector.

Among the highlights were guest speakers Mike Tweedie, Head Chef of the Oak Room, and Eddie Attwell, Head Chef of Eccles Hotel Glengarriff. Tweedie and Attwell shared first-hand how the Commis Chef Apprenticeship played a pivotal role in growing their teams, offering a tangible success story for businesses considering similar initiatives.

A panel discussion featured culinary leaders John Drummond, Brendan Byrne, Emer Corridan, and Odhran Lucey underscored the importance of mentoring and training the next generation of chefs. Their insights  contributed to the broader conversation about the role apprenticeships play in ensuring the future success of the hospitality industry.

Mallory Higgins, National Apprenticeship Programme Coordinator who led the event, emphasised its significance in addressing the current hospitality staff crisis in Ireland:
She said: "The Commis Chef Apprenticeship Showcase is not just a competition; it's a celebration of the industry's upcoming talent and a practical solution to the staffing challenges faced by the hospitality sector in Ireland. By highlighting success stories like Mike Tweedie and Eddie Attwell, we aim to inspire more businesses to invest in apprenticeships and grow their own skilled teams."

Mike Tweedie, Head Chef of the Oak Room, added: "The apprenticeship programme gives the apprentice the foundations they need and what we do in the restaurant is reinforce what they learned in college. I have two great chefs from the apprenticeship programme already and I have just taken on a third. One day I hope they are better than me and  have their own Michelin star, that means I have done my job, and it is a great thing for me to watch personally.”

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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