2007 Press Releases
Exciting Initiative for Speciality Food Producers at University College Cork (UCC)
The demand for high quality speciality foods has never been
greater. Nowadays, 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 are consumed by the Irish population. In response to
these exciting changes in the marketplace, UCC, in partnership with
CAIS (Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers Association), Slowfood Ireland,
Ballymaloe Cookery School and the Veterinary Department, Cork County
Council have developed a unique Diploma in Speciality Food Production
over the past number of years.
The Diploma is a part-time programme aimed at the artisan food producer
or those who are interested in developing speciality foods as a
commercial venture. For example, in recent years an increasing number
of farmers have developed value adding food enterprises on-farm.
Similarly, an increasing number of people working in food service have
branched out into speciality food production and distribution.
The Diploma should also appeal to those working in marketing and
distribution, support agencies and the media.
The Diploma offers an enterprising and dynamic learning environment
with participants from speciality food enterprises, farmers' markets,
farming, marketing, support agencies and the culinary community. The
programme delivery is designed to facilitate individuals who wish to
study on a part-time basis and to intergrate their studies with their
careers as well as incorporate their working experience into an
accredited learning process.
There will be a mix of lectures, practicals, workshops, project
assignment and field trips throughout the programme. The Diploma, under
the direction of Dr Séamus O'Reilly, Department of Food Business and
Development, UCC, will begin on September 10th 2007 with a full week
session, followed by two-day sessions every three weeks running
throughout the academic year 2007/2008.
Enquiries: d.keohane@ucc.ie
471MMcS
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