Chef Network invites you to experience a professional kitchen during
Open Kitchen Week
11th - 17th November 2024
Have you ever wondered what it is really like behind the doors of your favourite restaurant kitchen? Ever thought about what it might be like to turn a passion for food into a career? Ever considered if cooking as a profession could give you the flexibility and creative outlet you crave?
Chef Network, the professional network of chefs across the island of Ireland, is inviting you to find out.
For one week, professional kitchens all over the country open their doors and invite members of the public to go ‘behind the pass’ to find out what it is really like to don the whites and work as a cook, baker, or even chocolatier. They want to dispel the stereotypical images of the chef and show that kitchens are positive, creative and professional workplaces with a world of opportunity for fulfilling careers.
From 6th-12th November 2023, more than 50 professional kitchens across Ireland and Northern Ireland, threw open their doors to students and career changers interested in finding out what is really involved in a career as a chef, or to parents, teachers and educators who are curious about the opportunities in professional cookery.
In year one of this exciting new initiative, slots were available to book in a huge variety of kitchens from fine dining restaurants, hotels, and local cafes, to bakeries and chocolate makers, as well as the workplace kitchens of tech giants, and even castles!
Open Kitchens welcomed guests from all walks of life and backgrounds, of all ages (16yrs & above) and experience levels – if you have an interest in a cooking career, step through the kitchen door and find out what it is all about.
Chef Network, the professional network of chefs across the island of Ireland, is inviting you to find out.
For one week, professional kitchens all over the country open their doors and invite members of the public to go ‘behind the pass’ to find out what it is really like to don the whites and work as a cook, baker, or even chocolatier. They want to dispel the stereotypical images of the chef and show that kitchens are positive, creative and professional workplaces with a world of opportunity for fulfilling careers.
From 6th-12th November 2023, more than 50 professional kitchens across Ireland and Northern Ireland, threw open their doors to students and career changers interested in finding out what is really involved in a career as a chef, or to parents, teachers and educators who are curious about the opportunities in professional cookery.
In year one of this exciting new initiative, slots were available to book in a huge variety of kitchens from fine dining restaurants, hotels, and local cafes, to bakeries and chocolate makers, as well as the workplace kitchens of tech giants, and even castles!
Open Kitchens welcomed guests from all walks of life and backgrounds, of all ages (16yrs & above) and experience levels – if you have an interest in a cooking career, step through the kitchen door and find out what it is all about.
What some Open Kitchen Week 2023 participants had to say:
"I really enjoyed my experience; I am looking for a career in the hospitality industry and seeing a kitchen operate and taking part made me more excited about my future career."
"It was an excellent opportunity and a real eye opener for whether or not you would go into that sort of work. For me I always wanted to be a chef but wasn’t sure would it be a lot of pressure cooking in that environment, but I realised it wasn’t."
"Cooked up a storm during Open Kitchen week. Would be hopeful that I get to do it again. I suspect that the event will be inundated with applications next year!!"
"I really enjoyed my experience; I am looking for a career in the hospitality industry and seeing a kitchen operate and taking part made me more excited about my future career."
"It was an excellent opportunity and a real eye opener for whether or not you would go into that sort of work. For me I always wanted to be a chef but wasn’t sure would it be a lot of pressure cooking in that environment, but I realised it wasn’t."
"Cooked up a storm during Open Kitchen week. Would be hopeful that I get to do it again. I suspect that the event will be inundated with applications next year!!"
Interested in a Culinary Career?
If you are interested in pursuing a career in a professional kitchen following your Open Kitchen experience, you could start out by gaining experience as a kitchen porter, kitchen assistant, or commis chef in a kitchen (perhaps by approaching the kitchen you visited for Open Kitchen) or by applying to a professional cookery/culinary arts college programme, or both!
Open Kitchen Week is generously supported by:
Henderson's Food service
As one of the leading foodservice providers to the hospitality industry in Ireland, they are passionate about quality. From their products, through to service and people, they have the ingredients to provide all you need to serve up delicious meals, for any occasion. |
Dalata Hotel group PLC
Dalata is Ireland’s largest hotel operator, with a fast-growing presence in the UK and continental Europe. They successfully operates Ireland’s two largest hotel brands, Clayton Hotels and Maldron Hotels. |
Gather & Gather
We help our clients maximise the potential of food in the workplace great food in the workplace isn't simply about fuel. It's about increasing productivity and improving performance. It's about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. |
List of participating kitchens:
Interested in your KITCHEN taking part in Open Kitchen 2024?
You can register your interest in your KITCHEN taking part in the programme in 2024 HERE