Sponsored Post:
Donegal Daily’s feature series with Letterkenny Institute of Technology continues as we hear the stories of current students and their experiences on LYIT’s many courses in the run-up to the CAO deadline on February 1st.
Enda McBride, is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Culinary Arts student at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT). Enda sat his Leaving Certificate in 2017 and is a former student of St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny.
When Enda was making his CAO choices, he knew that he had an interest in culinary but had little to no experience in this discipline. He wanted to explore his interest further and chose the BA in Culinary Arts in his CAO choices.
Enda’s journey at the Department of Tourism has been incredible, now an entrepreneur running a successful mobile catering business ‘The Napoli Express’, Enda credits his success to being able to apply his knowledge learnt while studying at LYIT to his business. Enda commented, “In first year, I was able to explore savoury and pastry modules, in second year I then went on to specialise in savoury, which focuses on food such as starters and main courses. In March 2018, I attended the Open Day in Rathmullan House and was given my first experience of a ‘real world kitchen’ setting during my work placement in summer 2018 – this was an incredible experience.
“In third year, I then connected with mature student Brian Gallagher who had the idea of opening a mobile catering business and we joined forces in early 2019 and began developing the business idea.
“We wanted to develop a mobile pizza business, we sourced our pizza oven in Italy and launched our business with a base at ‘Georgie Sweeney’s’ in Letterkenny in August 2019. We are open seven days a week, from 5.30pm to 8.45pm, and we use our knowledge gained in the classroom to run our business.”
‘The Napoli Express’ in action
Picture of inside ‘The Napoli Express’
Enda further added, “My student experience has been brilliant, in first year I stayed in Killybegs and the accommodation prices were so affordable. What I like most about the Killybegs campus is that it’s a community, your lecturers are so supportive, and the BA programme includes a module on ‘Entrepreneurship’ which has been really useful.
“Chefs are always needed, this is a career and not just a hobby.
“Some of my fellow students have done their placements in France and further afield, being a qualified chef gives you endless opportunities to travel, because remember everyone eats! The practical aspect of this programme has set me up for life and I would encourage anyone with an interest in Culinary to follow your passion, it is such a worthwhile and rewarding career.”
Enda photographed catering at a private wedding with Rathmullan House
LYIT’s Department of Tourism offers two Level 7 programmes on the CAO.
To find out more about the Department of Tourism CAO programmes available at LYIT visit: https://www.lyit.ie/Study-at-LYIT/Find-a-course/?lvl=100
To explore your CAO options further and to hear more about the Department of Tourism programmes, watch the You Tube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1yZ3bygEFU&t=288s
At LYIT, your future is our focus.
Tags:
