South West College, Hospitality and Catering students from the Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon campuses are celebrating after winning several major awards at IFEX 2022 International Food Exhibition, across a range of Junior and Senior Salon categories at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Supported by Retail NI, the Hospitality and Catering showcase awards are run as part of IFEX, which is Northern Irelands longest-standing event displaying the latest food and drink products, catering equipment, interiors, technology and services to food and retail and hospitality industries.

Across the three days, students from the College’s full and part-time professional cookery, culinary, and hospitality courses competed with students across a range of Junior and Senior Salon categories showcasing their technical skills and creativity judged by industry experts. 

SWC were delighted to scoop a range of top awards, including fifteen medals and three merit certificates.

Ronan Kerr, who is in his second year of City and Guild Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery, winning a gold medal in the Student Culinarian of the Year 2022. Ronan impressed the judges with his technical ability, creativity and use; of ingredients when preparing his ‘Celebration of Sperrin lamb and dessert textures of rhubarb’.

Delighted to win Gold, Ronan Kerr added:

“I am delighted to have competed at such a prestigious event and l enjoyed showcasing unique, local, sustainable produce.”

Ronan Kerr
City and Guild Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery

In the ‘Senior Duck Culinary Freestyle Class’, Dungannon student Dale Rodgers scooped up a Bronze award for his skill and creative flair. While Lucy Evans, a Level 3 Professional Cookery student from Dungannon, achieved a Bronze accolade in the ‘Junior Duck’ challenge.

Other winners from the Dungannon campus included Dean Mc Nally, who achieved a Bronze award in the ‘Senior Fish’ challenge and Carla Leadon, who was delighted to pick up a Certificate of Merit in the ‘Innovation Starter’ competition.

SWC hospitality and catering students also took on the challenge of working on the Street Food International Food truck with their Sustainable World Cuisine concept – ‘SWC shaping the chefs of the future.’ The team were awarded the bronze award for this unique and innovative challenge.

SWC hospitality and catering students were supported and prepared for the competition by Darren Pitts, Kevin Crossan, Leonardo Rodolpho and Jeanette Clingen.

Tanya Purvis, Deputy Head of Tourism Hospitality Hair and Beauty at SWC, said:

“IFEX is a prestigious platform for our students to showcase their industry level expertise. I am delighted to see the staff and students hard work acknowledged. These events challenge and stretch our students to ensure our local industry stay at forefront of delivering modern and innovative cuisine.”

Tanya Purvis

SWC offers a wide range of flexible courses from Level 2- 5 in hospitality, patisserie and confectionery, food and beverage, professional cookery, and culinary arts.

For more information or to apply for a course in Tourism, Hospitality and Catering at South West College, see below.

Catering and Hospitality courses -

Catering and Hospitality