Commi chef hoping to cook up a storm at Young Chef Olympiad

By Mary Dennehy

A COMMI chef working in a Tallaght restaurant has been chosen to represent Ireland in the ‘Olympics’ for culinary students, with the 19-year-old hoping to cook up a storm in the pressurised competition in India later this month.

A second year culinary arts student in DIT, Amanda Sharkey is a commi chef in Tallaght’s Peachtree East, where she has been stationed since the popular restaurant opened in Tallaght Cross last August.

Originally from Mullingar, Amanda is now living in the apartments over the Glashaus Hotel, after she met Peachtree chef and co-owner Paul Phillips when she did work experience in the Annebrook Hotel in Mullingar.

“Paul was working in the Annebrook Hotel when I went there for work experience in fifth year”, Amanda said.

“I always wanted to be a nurse but I loved working in a kitchen while on work experience, and, luckily for me, I got a part-time job out of it.

“Paul took me under his wing and when he opened Peachtree East in Tallaght, he offered me a job.”

She added: “I love the buzz in the main kitchen and I think my style is working on old, traditional dishes and putting a modern twist on them.

“It’s great in Peachtree because even though I’m a commi chef, I’m always been asked if I have any ideas and being encouraged to get involved in creating dishes and menus.”

At the end of the month, Amanda will travel to India for the 3rd international, Young Chef Olympiad, which will see culinary students from around the globe cook their socks off in three rounds – all in the hope of reaching the grand final.

“Representing Ireland is pretty surreal”, Amanda said.

“I’m excited but a little bit nervous, I’m not sure what to expect.

“Each of the rounds are in a different location so there will be a lot of travelling and a lot of pretty intense cooking but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Round one of the competition will be staged in New Delhi and focus on classical chicken dishes, round two in Bangalore will see contestants tested on their vegetarian skills while round three, which will be hosted in Pune, is all about desserts – before the final is held in Calcutta.

The International Young Chef Olympiad will take place between January 28 and February 2.