Mayor reception for Tipp chef

South Tipperary Commis Chef apprentice Grace Nagle was honoured at a Mayoral Reception at Clonmel Town Hall, after her exceptional performance in further education with Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB).

Grace, originally from Fethard and now living in Ballypatrick near Kilsheelan, completed her two-year Commis Chef Apprenticeship earlier this year, combining training at Tipperary ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Centre at Archerstown, Thurles, with her day job at the catering department in Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel.

The Mayoral Reception was held following Grace’s honour of being named Hospitality Apprentice of the Year by the National Apprenticeship Office at the Mansion House in Dublin last October. Grace was one of only 14 apprentices to receive awards for their chosen skills sector, with a record 222 apprentices nominated for awards.

Earlier in 2023, Grace was also one of three Tipperary ETB apprentices to win awards at the Chef Ireland Final at CATEX 2023 in the RDS in Dublin. Grace won a Certificate of Merit in the Cup Cake Tasted Open Class.

The Mayoral Reception was hosted by Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Richie Molloy, who congratulated Grace for her outstanding success in further education, and also praising her tutors and Tipperary ETB staff for the role they play in education provision in the county.

Commis Chef Instructor at Tipperary ETB, Fergal Phelan, said he’s delighted to see the recognition that Grace is receiving.

“The Hospitality Apprentice of the Year award won by Grace last year was a testament to her desire to continuously improve and master a wide range of kitchen skills during the two-year apprenticeship.

“I’d like to congratulate Grace on this success, and also pay tribute to the entire class that completed the apprenticeship earlier this year. There has been so much success associated with this group, and we’re very excited to see them continue their journey in professional kitchens and classrooms in future years.”

The two-year Commis Chef apprenticeship is hosted at Tipperary ETB’s state-of-the-art FET facilities, including professional kitchen, at Archerstown, Thurles. Learners who complete the course receive a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts, allowing them to work as a Commis Chef in the tourism and hospitality industries, as well as providing progression opportunities for further learning.

Anybody interested in finding out more about the Commis Chef apprenticeship can contact apprenticeship@tipperaryetb.ie or 052 6191431.