Talbot Collection relaunch innovative Trainee Chef Development Programme

  

Left to right: Dr. Deirdre Keyes, Chief Executive KWETB; Philip F. Gavin, Managing Director, The Talbot Collection; Eileen Cullen, Head of Training Services and Innovation, KWETB; Natalie Power, Group HR Manager, the Talbot Collection. The Talbot Collection, one of the country’s well-established hotel groups has announced the relaunch of their hugely successful Chef Development Programme for a second consecutive year in partnership with KWETB .

 

 

Talbot Collection relaunch innovative Trainee Chef Development Programme

Training programme first of its kind in Ireland proved huge success in 2021 and returns for 2022

According to the Restaurant Association of Ireland, there is currently a shortage of 7,000 chefs in Ireland. 

As Ireland’s hospitality industry continues to struggle to return to pre-pandemic service levels, The Talbot Collection, one of the country’s well-established hotel groups, had their own novel solution to reducing chef shortages across the group by investing in the development of an innovative training programme for Trainee Chefs.

With an investment of more than €250,000, the Talbot Collection set a precedent last year with their Chef Development Programme, the first of its kind in Ireland.

The programme will return for 2022 following the success of last year’s course which saw 19 chefs across the hotel collection have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry at the KWETB professional training kitchens and upon completion of the 25-weeks of full-time training, each candidate will receive a City and Guilds Level 2, Diploma in Culinary Skills (the equivalent to a QQI Level 5 Award). 

Running in conjunction with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), all trainees will receive a salary, accommodation, meals, and transport for the duration of the 25-week programme. The aim of the programme is to help trainee Chefs learn, progress, and excel in their careers with a growing, progressive, and family-owned Irish company.

Following the programme, they will have the opportunity to learn and work on-the-job with a team of experienced Chefs in one of The Talbot Collection’s six hotels: Talbot Hotel Wexford, Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, Talbot Hotel Carlow, Midleton Park Hotel, Oriel House Hotel or the Talbot Hotel Clonmel.  This will be a continued permanent, full-time, and salaried contract as a Junior Commis Chef.  Throughout their time on the job, candidates will receive continuous development by way of on-the-job training and experience, as well as additional online modules.  They will also have the opportunity at the end of this tenure to take part in the Level 6 National Commis Chef Programme. 

Nigel Corbett, Head Chef of the Talbot Collection Wexford, said of the training “We spent several months last year carefully creating and developing this programme to ensure that participants receive the highest level of training from some of the most skilled professionals. The success of last year’s programme and the talent and creativity produced was instrumental in our decision to relaunch the course this year, it really is a brilliant opportunity for anyone seeking to further their career as a chef in the hospitality industry.”

Group Managing Director of the Talbot Collection Philip F. Gavin said he is extremely proud of the work that’s gone into the training programme. “I had the pleasure of visiting the trainees on site last year in one of the training centres and to say I was excited and proud at what I experienced is an understatement! This training programme remains the first of its kind in Ireland and we’re hopeful that other businesses and groups will follow suit and start to invest in our hospitality industry in a similar way. The experience and practical skills that these trainee chefs are learning are truly second to none and after the success of last year’s programme I am very excited to see the talent that will emerge from this year’s programme.” The content covered and skills taught will immerse up-and-coming chefs in the very latest in all things culinary.

Celebrity chef Derry Clarke heaped praise on the initiative, adding it was a wonderful initiative for anyone who has ever considered becoming a chef.

“The Talbot Collection is very forward-thinking in providing this opportunity which is open to all.  Cheffing is a life skill not just a way of life,” Mr Clarke added.

Jelena Medvedeva was one of the trainees who completed last year’s very first Chef Development Programme, she now works at the Talbot Collection Carlow as a Commis Chef. She said this of her experience: “The Chef Development Programme taught me a lot and shaped me into the Chef I am today. I have reached many milestones during my time completing the programme at the Talbot Hotel Carlow.

Our level 5 had a mix of existing industry members and complete newbies, but nonetheless we all mixed and worked as a team to make sure that we all moved along as one unit. We were pushed by our teachers to be the best we could be by the time we finished up, and either went back to the industry or went on further in the education field. 

I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without Talbot Collection Chef Development Programme and the guidance and mentorship of Head Chef William Bayle, I loved my experience here and I am excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead.

 

Eileen Cullen, Head of Training Services and Innovation in Kildare and Wicklow ETB said they are delighted to have partnered with the Talbot Collection on this initiative:

“I am delighted to see the return of the Chef Development Programme this year, the programme is returning at the perfect time to assist in combating staff shortages in the hospitality industry and we welcome the investment in training and support by the Talbot Collection.

 

“The success of last year’s programme is evident, with 11 chefs now working in full-time positions within the industry. The KWETB looks forward to working with The Talbot Collection again this year and we would encourage those looking to improve their skills in a supportive and progressive environment to consider applying.”

Further information on The Talbot Collection Chef Development Programme can be found www.talbotcollection.ie #TeamTalbot

Should you be interested in working with an innovative, progressive Irish-owned Hotel Collection, contact your nearest Talbot Collection Hotel or email Natalie Power, Group HR Manager at npower@talbothotelgroup.ie.

press release

Talbot Collection tackling skills shortages faced by hospitality industry with innovative programme

Talbot Collection tackling skills shortages faced by hospitality industry with innovative Trainee Chef Development Programme 

 

Training programme first of its kind in Ireland already proving to be a huge success with just two weeks completed  

 

According to the Restaurant Association of Ireland, there is currently a shortage of 7,000 chefs in Ireland.  As Ireland’s hospitality industry continues to struggle to return to pre-pandemic service levels, The Talbot Collection, one of the country’s well established hotel groups, aims to help reduce this shortage through their investment in an innovative new training programme for Trainee Chefs.  

 

With a company investment of more than €250,000, the Talbot Collection have set a precedent with this new training programme which is the first of its kind in Ireland. Running in conjunction with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), the programme is training 21 Chefs across the entire hotel collection, all of whom are receiving a salary, accommodation, meals, and transport for the duration of the 12-week programme. The aim of the programme is to help trainee Chefs learn, progress, and excel in their careers with a growing, progressive, and family-owned Irish company.  

 

The Trainee Chefs are already two-weeks in and learning from the best in the industry at the KWETB professional training kitchens and upon completion of the 12-weeks of full-time training, each candidate will receive a City & Guilds Level 2, Diploma in Culinary Skills (the equivalent to a QQI Level 5 Award).   

 

Following the programme, they will have the opportunity to learn and work on-the-job with a team of experienced Chefs in one of The Talbot Collection’s five hotels, Talbot Hotel Wexford, Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, Talbot Hotel Carlow, Midleton Park Hotel or The Oriel House Hotel.  This will be a continued permanent, full-time, and salaried contract as a Junior Commis Chef.  Throughout their time on the job, candidates will receive continuous development by way of on-the-job training and experience, as well as additional online modules.  They will also have the opportunity at the end of this tenure to take part in the Level 6 National Commis Chef Programme.   

 

Nigel Corbett, Head Chef of the Talbot Collection Wexford, said of the training “It’s no secret that our industry is facing challenges at the moment. We’ve spent several months carefully creating and developing this programme to ensure that participants receive the highest level of training from some of the most skilled professionals. The participants have thrown themselves into their training right from the beginning and it’s wonderful to see their talents and passion at such an early stage”. 

 

Group Managing Director of the Talbot Collection Philip F. Gavin said he is extremely proud of the work that’s gone into the training programme. “I recently had the pleasure of visiting the candidates on site in one of the training centres and to say I was excited and proud at what I experienced is an understatement! This training programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and we’re hopeful that other businesses and groups will follow suit and start to invest in our hospitality industry in a similar way. The experience and practical skills that these trainee chefs are learning are truly second to none and I’m very excited at what’s to come over the next number of weeks.” 

 

The content covered and skills taught in this innovative training programme is bringing up and coming chefs the very latest in all things culinary. Already thoroughly enjoying her experience is trainee chef Jelena Medvedeva who works in the Talbot Hotel Carlow. “I started working as a kitchen porter in the Talbot Carlow in February 2020, just before the pandemic. I’ve always loved being in the kitchen and this course is now giving me the opportunity to develop the skills I’ve learned over the last year and a half, and I’m also learning many new techniques. We are all very grateful to be learning from some of the most accomplished professionals in our industry and I am eager to keep learning from them over the next two months.” 

 

Eileen Cullen, Head of Training Services and Innovation in Kildare and Wicklow ETB said they are delighted to have partnered with the Talbot Collection on this innovative initiative. “As we head in to our third week, each of our 21 chefs are doing excellently! Last week they cooked lunch for 15 people, to an excellent standard, and they are all full of enthusiasm. I really believe this programme is coming at the perfect time considering the difficulties faced by hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes at the moment. The KWETB looks forward to partnering with the Talbot Collection again in the future.”  

 

Further information on The Talbot Collection Chef Development Programme can be found www.talbotcollection.ie #TeamTalbot 

 

Should you be interested in working with an innovative, progressive Irish-owned Hotel Collection, contact your nearest Talbot Collection Hotel or email Natalie Power, Group HR Manager at npower@talbothotelgroup.ie.