The KickStart Kitchen will offer free professional chef training and networking services to those currently facing a barrier to employment.

The course consists of 12 classes over 6 weeks. Then, working with restaurant owners and managers, we will create unique work placements, all designed to produce entry level trainee chefs from all walks of life, notably those living in Direct Provision, exiting homelessness services, early school leavers, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and immigrants.

The aim of the game is to create new careers while helping alleviate the recruitment struggles currently facing our hospitality sector.

***PROJECT UPDATE***

As of January 2025, we are still plugging away on the development of the organisation, our unique fundraising strategy and of course our inaugural programme – The KickStart Kitchen. 

Our Head Chef Ciaran Crawford (from the SCOOP Art Cookbooks back in the day) is working hard creating an innovative and genius curriculum that gets anyone and everyone ready for entry level positions in top kitchens.

In addition to developing our curriculum, we have been involved with running a number of art auctions including ‘Grogan’s Pub Fine Art Sale’ in aid of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services (October 2024) and with the incredible social enterprise, The Big Idea (November 2024).

We have big plans for 2025, namely running a huge live and online art auction in Dublin in April (featuring the best artists around), which will lead to start of the KickStart Kitchen Training Programme taking place in Dublin city. The funds raised from the auction will allow us to run back to back courses as well as gear up for trying to fund our own dedicated premises, maybe even our own restaurant. The sky’s the limits! Watch this space…