Sysco is Proud to Sponsor New All-Ireland Culinary Competition

 

We are proud to be sponsoring the brand-new competition, launched by the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast, which will see young, aspiring chefs from across Ireland compete in a series of culinary challenges to be crowned the island’s next culinary cooking sensation. 

Ireland’s Next Top Chef allows these talented up-and-coming chefs to showcase their skills across a series of rounds culminating in the grand final in The Balmoral Hotel on August 3rd. The competition kicks off next month, applications are open now, with contestants being put through their paces with various challenges, facing a host of guest judges, including our very own Business Development Chef Ben Arnold, who is no stranger to cooking competitions having represented Great Britain in the World Culinary Olympics and holds over twenty Craft Guild of Chefs’ gold & silver medals across several categories. 

On sponsoring the event, Jeff Ewart, District Sales Manager said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Sysco to give back to the hospitality industry. Following the pandemic, we have seen a decrease in young people entering the culinary professions. A competition like this not only shines the spotlight on the talent that already exists in Ireland but shows that we are committed to growing the industry and developing this talent into top chefs”. 

Ben Arnold reiterates this, “It’s fantastic to see an opportunity like this open for homegrown talent. Throughout my career, I have benefitted greatly from similar opportunities, which allowed me to push myself and really show what I can do. I look forward to seeing what the contestants produce”. 

As well as the Title of ‘Ireland’s Next Top Chef’, the winner will receive a few prizes, including mentorship by the culinary teams at one of three locations: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, Liath in Dublin, or The Muddlers Club in Belfast. We don’t envy the final judges, Michelin star chef, Danni Barry, 2023 Great British Menu contestant, Kerry Roper, and BBC’s Farm to Feast judge, Joris Minne, who will have to select the overall winner! 

If you would like to enter Ireland’s Next Top Chef visit www.irelandsnexttopchef.com and submit your application for June 8th. Good luck!