FÁILTE Ireland has laiunched a new nine-month programme for food networks from Kerry to improve the impact of visitor experiences locally through food.
The new Step Change programme will help those who promote food and tourism packages in the area to play an enhanced role in tourism.
Through the initiative they will receive a food focused visitor evaluation of their destination, participate in a number of structured development workshops and connect with other food network leaders to share best practice and new insights around experience development.
Sinead Hennessy of Fáilte Ireland said that the initiative is initially designed to focus the energy of the three food networks – Taste Kerry, the Sligo Food Trail and Taste Wexford –towards having an increased tourism and visitor impact support and will be gradually rolled out to other Food Networks throughout the country.
John Harty of Taste Kerry said as a chef a chef he is delighted to see Fáilte Ireland recognise the importance of gastronomy and the synergies between food and tourism.
“Food networks can play a key role in establishing Ireland as a destination that is recognised for great food and drink. Taste Kerry are delighted to be actively involved in this development programme and look forward to bringing the network to the next level,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, in a separate initiative, chefs from Kerry, including Hotel Killarney and the Inishfallen Hotel in Killarney, gathered for a mentoring workshop in Newcastle West, C. Limerick to support the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme workshop, supported by Fáilte Ireland and other tourism industry bodies.
The workshop was held to assist existing industry mentors who have apprentice commis chefs in training to employ the necessary practical coaching and mentoring skills.
Paul Hayden of Fáilte Ireland remarked: “Some of Kerry’s most skilled and best known chefs have gathered to share their experiences via mentoring to what we hope will be the next generation of great Irish chefs”.
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