Nine Irish colleges taking part in Knorr® Professional Student Chef of the Year 2020 

28th February: Nine of Ireland’s most talented culinary students from around the country will be taking part in this year’s Knorr® Professional Student Chef of the Year Competition 2020. TU Dublin – Tallaght will play host to this years competition taking place on Tuesday 10th March. The college has a fantastic reputation in the competition with students from the college winning the last two years’ competitions.

Now in its 23rd year, the students represent different colleges and institutes across the island of Ireland. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘2020 The Future of Foods. All nine students have been challenged to create two dishes taking inspiration from global challenges of sustainability and driving positive change. By using the Knorr® Professional Future 50 Foods Report, students will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, creating two dishes inspired by sustainable sourcing, zero waste and efficient cooking methods to create great tasting, nutritious dishes that will improve the planet.

This year’s judging panel is joined by Audrey Crone, Executive Head Chef with Unilever Food Solutions, Darina Brennan, Group Executive Chef of Dalata Hotel Group, Annette Sweeney, Co-ordinator of the culinary arts programmes at TU Dublin Tallaght Campus and special guest judge Food Journalist, Dee Laffan.

The full list of students taking part in Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year Finalists 2020;

  • Stephen Halford, TU Dublin – Tallaght
  • Marshall Condren, Waterford Institute of Technology
  • Maria Dunne, Athlone Institute of Technology
  • Cathal McDermott, North West Regional College
  • Ciara Kenneally, Limerick Institute of Technology
  • Caroline Hayes, Cork Institute of Technology
  • Van Phuocle, Dundalk Institute of Technology
  • Conor Addis, South Eastern Regional College
  • Clodagh Fox, Dublin Institute of Technology

Speaking on the finalists, Audrey Crone, Executive Chef Ireland, Unilever Food Solutions said: “It’s a great honour to represent your college in a competition at this level and it’s truly inspiring to see students eager and excited for the cook-off in a couple of weeks.

“Competitions like Knorr® Professional Student of the Year are really important for students’ progression and exposure for their future careers. It allows them to meet and engage with their peers from different institutions across Ireland on the same level as them. It gives an opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity in a pretty high-pressure environment. We’re really looking forward to what is shaping up to be a fantastic day with the best of Ireland’s next generation chefs”.

For more information, see ufs.com/knorrstudentchef