Ireland Skills Live took place from Thursday to Saturday, 21-23 March in Dublin’s RDS. Ireland Skills Live played host to the National Skills Finals, with over 20 different skills taking part in a competitive setting. The winners of each event have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the World Skills Olympics in Russia 2019.

Aisling Delany a Third Year student of the BA in Culinary Arts at IT Tralee under the guidance of Chef Lecturer Dan Browne represented the Institute at the Ireland skills competition in the Cookery Skills section and was not found lacking when she was announced as the overall winner at the awards ceremony at the RDS on Saturday evening. Over three days Aisling had to complete 10 competitive modules, three in day 1, four in day 2 and three again in day 3. Overall, she completed over 20 hours of competition work. Each day she worked to specific service times for each module.

Chef Dan Browne said, “Her practice and planning was essential here in delivering the dishes on time. 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 2. She was working entirely on her own over the three days preparing and cooking all dishes from start to finish.”

He added, “We are so very proud of Aislings achievement as this competition 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 Department Ray O Connor Desmond added “Aislings great success is a testament to her dedication, skill and hard work. Congratulations also to Chef Dan Browne who ensured Aisling was well prepared for the challenges of the event and was ready to bring her best in the heat of competition. A fantastic achievement for them both.”