Culinary student wins place on international gastronomy programme

GMIT Culinary Arts student Cormac Withero has won a prestigious scholarship for the 8th International Spanish Gastronomy Training Programme, having competed against culinary students from all over the world including Ireland for one of 12 coveted places on the programme.

The 25 year old from Galway city will travel to Spain in June for six months, all expenses paid, where he and 11 other aspiring chefs from countries such as the UK, Singapore and Mexico will be welcomed by top Spanish restaurants into their kitchens to develop their talents.

The programme includes a six-week language and culinary training segment at the International School of Culinary Arts Fernando Pérez in Valladolid (Castile-León), a two-week tour of Spain to gain an understanding of the country’s culture and gastronomy, and entry into the International Tapas Competition in November 2015.

Cormac, a third year student on the GMIT Culinary Arts Management Programme at GMIT’s Galway campus, is delighted to have been chosen and is looking forward to the learning experience. “I really wanted this and worked very hard for it, so I’m really delighted. I got great support from my lecturers and mentors in GMIT Anne O’Leary and Sadie Davoren,” he says.

Cáit Noone, Head of the GMIT College of Tourism & Arts, says: “We are delighted for Cormac and know this experience will not only positively influence his career but will deepen his knowledge and understanding of Spanish food and culture.”

“The lecturing team in the College of Tourism and Arts are outstanding professionals in this field and their constant dedication to the culinary arts world significantly supports the learning experience of all culinary students.”

Cormac will represent Ireland on this Spanish Gastronomy Programme. Officials from the Spanish Embassy in Dublin, Javier Moral and Sara Cresco, visited the college last week to present him with his certificate.

For more information on GMIT’s Culinary Arts programmes, visit: http://www.gmit.ie/college-tourism-and-arts/college-tourism-arts