A LIMERICK chef has been selected as one of five ambassadors for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador Programme.
21-year-old Charlie Ward from Rathkeale in County Limerick is commis chef at the Mustard Seed in Ballingarry and has just finished his second year studying culinary arts at the Technological University of the Shannon.
He is eager to gain a deeper understanding of the origins of the seafood he works with, its production methods, and sustainability.
Combining his passion for sports and fitness with his love of all things culinary, Charlie says he would love to promote the pleasure and nutritional benefit of eating fish more to young people.
The immersive BIM programme, in collaboration with Chef Network and Fáilte Ireland, is now in its fourth year. The ambitious ambassadors will embark on a four-month programme to familiarise themselves with Irelands premium seafood and the people who produce it along the Wild Atlantic Way.
The chefs came together for their induction to the ambassador programme, which will include visits to several seafood producers in Kerry, Cork, and Galway to learn all about oyster and mussel farming, the art of seafood smoking, fish mongering skills, and recipe creation.
Following applications from all over Ireland, the appointed chefs are selected based on their applications, followed by an interview process.
The Taste the Atlantic Young Chef Ambassador Programme is co-funded by the government and the EU, under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
