Diploma in Speciality Food Production
NOTICE: The Diploma in Speciality Food Production commenced in University College Cork on 11th October 2011. Please click on the 2011 leaflet and timetable for more details. Please contact us if you wish to be updated regarding next year's Diploma.
Summary
In recent years, Ireland, as elsewhere in Europe, has witnessed considerable growth in the small food enterprise sector. This sector is characterised by craftmanship and a high “hand-made” element, producing low volume but high quality food. Amongst the product range are numerous varieties of farmhouse cheeses, smoked fish, fresh and specialist meats including charcuterie, poultry and pork products, honey, sauces, condiments, confectionery and fresh organic produce may also be included here. This course is for individuals who are starting a speciality food business and also for those involved in this sector including producers, retailers, culinary specialists, buyers, food designers and journalists.
Aims and Objectives
1 To provide a broad understanding of the growing differentiation of the food market in which a significant segment of consumers are motivated by characteristics of taste, traceability, quality, sustainability and proximity.
2. To encourage a more reflective analysis of the wider social, historical, cultural and economic changes that have led to the emergence of this new food culture.
3. To provide an insight into the challenges of creating a small food enterprise and the skills required to make a successful business.
4. To provide essential scientific background in the field of food science and technology, including elements of food microbiology, food safety, food chemistry, process technologies, nutrition and sensory food science. Traditional methods of food manufacture will also be covered during the course.
5. To provide an introduction to small business management, financing and marketing.
6. To provide workshops on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, Taste Evaluation, Information Retrieval and Regulations/Legislation.
Who Should Attend
The Diploma is intended for those who are interested in developing speciality foods as a commercial venture or as a way of adding value to agricultural commodities. The Diploma is also for those currently in the speciality food sector as well as suppliers, buyers and retailers.
The course is open to Irish and international students.
Duration and Assessment
Lectures, practicals and workshops take place on a part-time basis, typically on Tuesday & Wednesday (9:00 - 5:00), every 3 weeks or so, over a period of approx. 9 months. Site visits are an integral part of the course. Performance is assessed on a continuous basis and participants are required to sit an assessment on completion of each module. On completion of the lectures, practicals, site visits and workshops, students are required to submit a work-related project assignment. The objective of the assignment is to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills obtained on the course in a practical way.
Course Numbers
Course numbers will be limited to twenty participants so early applications are recommended.
Course Content
The syllabus is designed to integrate theory and practice across seven different modules:-
Module 1 -Local Food Production Systems
Module 2 - Food Chemistry and Packaging
Module 3 - Food Processing Technology
Module 4 - Nutrition and Sensory Science
Module 5 - Speciality Food Marketing and Distribution
Module 6 -Food Microbiology
Module 7 -Risk Analysis
Module 8 -Managing Speciality Food Enterprises
Module 9 - Speciality Food Production
Course Steering Group
Academic Director: Dr Colin Sage, UCC
University College Cork
Professor Gerald Fitzgerald, Dr Colin Sage, Professor Alan Kelly, Dr Joe Kerry, Dr. Seamus O’Reilly,
Ms. Mary McCarthy-Buckley, Dr. Paul McSweeney
Ballymaloe Cookery School - Ms. Darina Allen
Cork County Council, Veterinary Department - Mr. Jim Buckley
CÁIS - Ms. Jeffa Gill, Mr. Norman Steele
Slowfood Ireland - Ms. Giana Ferguson
Course Fee
The course fee is €2800 and there may be bursaries and some grant funding for eligible applicants
Application
Please contact Dr Angela Sheehan, Tel. 021-4901423 Email: a.sheehan@ucc.ie for further information.
You may also download and complete the Application Form (below) and forward to Dr Angela Sheehan.
Please click on photo of Diploma in Speciality Food Production, Graduation Class of 2008.
