11 Mar 2005

Exciting New Initiative for Speciality Food Producers at University College Cork (UCC)

Exciting New Initiative for Speciality Food Producers
at University College Cork (UCC)

In recent years, Ireland, as elsewhere in Europe, has witnessed considerable growth in the small-scale food enterprise sector. In response to these exciting changes in the marketplace, UCC's Faculty of Food Science and Technology and Ballymaloe Cookery School, CAIS (Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers Association), Slowfood Ireland, Teagasc, and the Veterinary Department, Cork County Council have developed an unique Diploma in Speciality Food Production.

The Diploma in Speciality Food Production is aimed at entrepreneurs who may be starting a speciality food business, producers, retailers, culinary specialists, buyers, food designers and journalists or anyone interested in developing speciality foods as a way of adding value to agricultural commodities.

This small-scale food sector is characterised by craftsmanship producing high quality foods including farmhouse cheeses, smoked fish, fresh and specialist meats including charcuterie, poultry and pork products, honey, sauces, condiments, confectionery and fresh organic produce.

Topics covered in the Diploma include:

• Local Food Production
• Science, Technology and Nutrition of Foods with an emphasis on Traditional Methods;
• Plant Design and Associated Services such as Water and Waste Management
• Speciality Food Marketing and Distribution
• Food Microbiology
• Operating in a Regulatory Environment
• Managing Speciality Food Enterprises
• Information Retrieval Workshop, Sensory Evaluation Workshop, Regulations/Legislation Workshop and HACCP Workshop

This University Diploma commences on 11 April 2005 and will include a mix of lectures, laboratory practicals, workshops, project assignment and site visits (outside the University). The Academic Director of this Diploma is Professor Gerald Fitzgerald, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork.

For details on the Course please contact: Ms Mary McCarthy-Buckley/Ms Michele Daly, Food Industry Training Unit, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University College Cork. Telephone: 021 4903178 E-mail: michele.daly@ucc.ie

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