The South West College (SWC) Hospitality and Catering department has been celebrating after budding chefs completed its first-ever NI Chef Bootcamp. The four-week programme, including work placement, was recently delivered at the SWC Erne campus, and provided participants with the right ingredients to progress into further education or a career in the Catering and Hospitality sector.

Throughout the programme, participants gained an introduction to Hospitality alongside practical skills and experience in food preparation, knife cutting techniques, basic cookery in a commercial training kitchen, as well as industry-relevant qualifications in Food Safety and Food Allergy Awareness.

Participants also experienced first-hand what goes on behind the scenes via work placements and attended special masterclasses with some of the finest chefs in the area, such as former student and now industry Head Chef at the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen, Colin Green.

“The Chef Bootcamp course was a fantastic experience for me. It improved my skills and knowledge surrounding the food industry, and I really enjoyed the teaching and placement with Glen Wheeler at 28 at the Hollow. This course has helped me realise my passion for cooking and desire to work in Hospitality.”

Catherine Beattie
NI Chef Bootcamp graduate

Funded by the Department for the Economy under the Economic Recovery Action Plan (ERAP), NI Chef Bootcamp ran across all NI colleges to meet the growing demand for chefs in Northern Ireland’s Hospitality sector.

Simon Wiggins, Tourism and Hospitality Development Officer at SWC, said:

"The recent NI Chef Bootcamp is the perfect way for those with a genuine interest in catering to come and learn the basics without the need for prior qualifications. Students improved their food knowledge, knife skills and cooking methods over a short four-week period. Also undertaking work placements with local employers providing real-life industry experience.

Claire Currid, Catering Lecturer at SWC, said:

“The NI Chef Bootcamp was a very exciting 4-week course for the students, they gained a range of different cooking techniques, food experiences and knowledge throughout the weeks. They put their newfound skills and knowledge into practice in their work placements, which has given the passion to work in the industry.

For those interested in a career within the Hospitality and Catering Sector, SWC offer a wide range of flexible courses from Level 2- 5 in areas such as hospitality, patisserie and confectionery, food and beverage, professional cookery, and culinary arts.

For further information follow South West College on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or to apply, please see below.

Catering and Hospitality Courses

Catering and Hospitality Courses