All-Island Schools Cookery Competition Deadline Imminent
Restaurants Association puts food and healthy eating on the education menu for 2014 as they roll out a national secondary schools competition
The Restaurants Association of Ireland partner with St. Angela’s College, Sligo, in delivering the Fine Dine at Mine All-Island Cookery Competition 2014. The Fine Dine at Mine cookery competition is open to all students in post-primary schools on the island of Ireland and Youthreach Centres in the Republic of Ireland.
The competition gives students an opportunity to create tasty, healthy and 
affordable restaurant meals at home. Students are asked to submit their favourite restaurant meal (main course dish only) for TWO people.
The regional closing date is soon approaching for the competition. We have already received many entries for this competition, and hope to receive many more before the closing date of Friday the 7th of February 2014, at5pm. Entries can be made by either post or email.
President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and owner of the Boxty House, Pádraic Óg Gallagher spoke with great pride in the initiative;“Educating the youth of Ireland on cookery as a career and not just a pastime has become an important focus of the Association. Not only that, but this competition aims to promote healthy eating through the creation of lower cost and healthier option meals in conjunction with their local restaurants. We look forward to working with St. Angela’s on this exciting partnership and also to recognising the young culinary talents of Ireland.”
A total of 32 (16 Junior and 16 Senior) entries will be selected to go forward to the All-Island Final based on the entries submitted. At this stage of the competition, each finalist will be assigned a Restaurants Association of Ireland Member Chef to mentor them for the final cook off.
The All-Island Cook Off will be held on the 6th & 7th May 2014 in St. Angela’s College, Sligo. The final is judged by a panel of experts including award winning chef Paul Flynn of the Tannery, Dungarvan.
Amanda McCloat, Head of the Home Economics Department in St. Angela’s College commented, “This competition aims to encourage students to display their culinary capabilities while also promoting the importance of healthy eating and giving due cognisance to budgetary requirements. We are delighted to allow students the opportunity to showcase their talents once again this year.”
For more information please visit:
www.rai.ie/finedineatmine