Birr student honoured for his chocolate sword creation

Birr's Luke Ryan, a Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts student at TUS Athlone, recently received two awards at the IFEX culinary competition in Belfast for an edible art sculpture crafted entirely from chocolate.

It was Luke's first time entering the competition and his creative samurai sword sculpture earned two certificates of merit.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to meet chefs full with passion and devotion. I feel proud of my certificates of merit. I am incredibly appreciative of the guidance that was given to me from the lecturers and hope to take home the gold next time," he said.

IFEX 2022 is Northern Ireland’s longest-standing food service and hospitality trade exhibition, and it attracts exhibitors from all over the UK and Ireland.

The edible chocolate sculptures were judged on various criteria including originality, level of difficulty and quality of workmanship.

Chelsea Devine, a third-year student at TUS from Elphin in Roscommon, was awarded a gold medal in the IFEX 'Decorative Exhibit' category for creating a three-foot edible lighthouse sculpture.

Competing against industry professionals and culinary students from across the UK and Ireland, Chelsea spent more than 40 hours prepping for the competition and poring over the technical aspects of chocolate work and centrepiece design.

Clohda Coyne, also a third-year BA in Culinary Arts student at TUS Athlone, was awarded a silver medal for a chocolate sculpture of a ship's cannon.

Each of the pieces are to be displayed in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure lobby, on the TUS Athlone campus.