BIM’s Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador Programme is now open for applications

Calling ambitious young chefs with a passion for Irish seafood

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, in association with Chef Network has today (Friday 30 March) announced the 2023 Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador Programme is open for applications. The seafood mentoring programme, now in its third year, is aimed at ambitious young chefs. It will take them on an immersive journey, where they get first-hand experience of Irish seafood production along the Taste the Atlantic trail, part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Each of the selected chefs will receive training and mentorship in social media, business, culinary and fish handling skills from experienced industry mentors. They will also be paired with a Taste the Atlantic producer to learn about the provenance of Irish seafood, broadening their knowledge and inspiring the creation of new Irish seafood recipes.
To date, ten chefs have completed the programme.

Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador from 2022, Becca Sweeney called on all young chefs and student chefs to take up the opportunity to apply.

“The overall experience of the Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador Programme is magnificent”, says Becca, who is now Head Chef of Sligo’s Hooked restaurant on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

“It gave me great insight to the culinary world, outside of the kitchen. I have made connections throughout the food industry, developed my fish handling skills, and developed new relationships with local suppliers. I loved meeting seafood producers and understanding their process. As a result I have incorporated more local seafood on my menus and inspired my team through what I learned on the programme. I can’t encourage young chefs enough to apply. The programme has been a huge stepping-stone for my career. My fellow ambassadors and I created unforgettable memories”.

The BIM Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador programme is inviting applications for chefs aged between 18-24. The closing date for applications is 30 April 2023. Full details are available on www.chefnetwork.ie

The Young Chef Ambassador Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

For further press information contact:

Mairéad Mallon, PR & Communications Advisor, BIM.

M: 087 9197 E: mairead.mallon@bim.ie