Limerick Central Rotary Club proudly hosted the annual Young Chef Ireland Competition on Thursday, 4 December 2025, in partnership with The Hospitality Training Campus and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB).
Entries were received from across Limerick and Clare, with five outstanding students selected for the final cook-off, held in the professional training kitchens of The Hospitality Training Campus in Roxboro, Limerick. The finalists — Ruby Shanahan (Scoil Mhuire & Íde, Newcastle West), Roxane Andre-Liddane (Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh), Dara Ajala (Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom), and Oscar Mehta (St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe) — demonstrated exceptional culinary skill during the two-hour competition.
Following an impressive showcase of talent, Naoise Ahern of Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, was announced as the overall winner.
The competition, open to all full-time secondary school students, was sponsored by the Limerick Central Rotary Club, Sinead Marron of Limerick Central Rotary Club, and LCETB. The perpetual trophy was generously sponsored by Mr. Luke Nolan of KBR Foodservice Equipment.
Event Organiser Tom Flavin, Chef and Food Consultant and Youth Lead for the Limerick Central Rotary Club, said:
“We are delighted to host this competition for the fourth consecutive year and to shine a spotlight on the remarkable talents of these young chefs. Through this event, we hope to highlight the many pathways available for students interested in pursuing culinary arts, whether through apprenticeships or third-level education.”
Bernadette Enright, Manager of LCETB’s Hospitality Campus, added:
“It is vital that we continue to support and encourage hospitality training at secondary school level. The standard demonstrated by the students in this competition is truly inspiring.”
Image Captions
- Picture one: Tom Flavin, Chef & Food Consultant & Youth Lead Limerick Central Rotary Club, Naoise Ahern, Coláiste Ide & Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Winner of Rotary Young Chef Competition and Denise Brazil, President, Limerick Central Rotary Club.
- Picture two: Dishes Created on the day of the competition
- Picture Three: Diarmuid O Callaghan, LCETB, Ruby Shanahan (Scoil Mhuire & Íde, Newcastle West), Dara Ajala (Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom), Tom Flavin, Chef & Food Consultant & Youth Lead Limerick Central Rotary Club, Naoise Ahern, (Coláiste Ide & Iosef, Abbeyfeale,) Winner if Rotary Young Chef Competition and Denise Brazil, President, Limerick Central Rotary Club. Carol Dollery, LCETB, Roxane Andre-Liddane (Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh) Keith Pigott, LCETB and Oscar Mehta (St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe)
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders committed to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Their work improves lives locally and internationally, from supporting vulnerable groups within communities to advancing the global effort to eradicate polio. For more information, visit Rotary’s official website.
