‘Town of Food’ to launch chef training course after dishing up winning entry

Food producers in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, are to launch a chef training programme on foot of winning the inaugural Kilkenny Leader Partnership ‘Town of Food’ competition.

Thomastown saw off competition from Callan, Castlecomer, Kilmacow, and Piltown to take the title, worth €775,000 in grant aid and supports. Participants in the chef training course will work closely with local food producers.

Mags Kirwan, of Goatsbridge Trout Farm in Thomastown, said the group was focused and their passion for food shone through in their proposal.

“Food is an integral part of our DNA in Thomastown,” Ms Kirwan said.

“We kept our proposal community-focused. We approached our plan as if it were a business plan for a start-up that we wanted to see prosper and grow way beyond three years.

“Ours was also a very inclusive plan which incorporates our vision for a Fetac-level training hub for chefs. We plan to offer a 35-week programme broken down into 12 weeks in the classroom, the remainder in local restaurants and with food producers in the area,” she said.

The judging panel for ‘Town of Food’ included: Bobby Kerr, entrepreneur; Colin Jephson, Ardkeen Quality Food Stores; Helen McDaid, Fáilte Ireland; Declan McCann, financial expert; and Tommy Cooke, Teagasc board member.

Kilkenny Leader Partnership chief executive Declan Rice said: “Kilkenny has always had an incredible food culture, passionate producers and a thriving community spirit.

“The people of Thomastown showed us they are very passionate about what they do, what they produce, what they eat. They are very worthy winners.”

As the ‘Town of Food’ winner, Thomastown is eligible for up to €500,000 of grant aid for capital works and Leader support, and grant aid of up to €100,000 towards a three-year programme of food-related training and education courses.

Thomastown is also entitled to marketing costs of up to €75,000 towards the promotion of the ‘Town of Food’ concept; up to €50,000 towards operating the marketing plan over a two-year period; and up to €50,000 over a 30-month period towards a co-ordinator for the project.