SETU Launches New Initiative for Tourism Students 

SETU has recently launched an external advisory board for the Department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism. 

This board is made up of important figures in the Waterford Tourism Industry such as Sinead Crowley, originally from Kill, Co.Waterford, a graduate of SETU's BA ( Hons) Hospitality Management, who is now Head of Global Corporate Sales, Kempinski Hotels and Margaret Darrer, Proprietor, Dooleys and Vice President of Irish Hotels Federation.

The board will meet twice per month and provide industry expertise into the way the courses are designed at SETU. 

It also formalises the relationship between the University and the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the South-East Region.

Cyril McAree, managing editor of Hotel & Restaurant Times, launched the advisory board in SETU on Thursday, November 6.

Speaking to the News & Star, he said: “People have a perception that all you do in hospitality is cook or serve food. They don’t see hospitality as a career. They think you get a career in hospitality until you get a ‘real’ job.

"I’ve met people over the years who did not like rote learning, school didn’t work for them. They had other skillsets that were overlooked or ignored by their teachers. Guidance councillors sometimes do not hospitality as a career.

"There was a few television shows done over the years that did damage to the sector. The likes of Gordan Ramsay type programmes that show chefs as an ogre in the kitchen, shouting and roaring. That’s not how the industry works.

"Any employer looks at their employee as an asset."

Speaking about the benefits of doing a degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism in SETU, Mr. McAree said: “You’re getting the best of both worlds. You’re living the job but then you come to college for grounding.” Echoing his statements, a lecturer on the programme and organiser of the event, Jacinta Greene spoke at the launch. She said she was delighted that the ‘cream of the crop’ of Waterford hospitality were willing ‘to put their shoulders to the wheel’.

Head of Department Don O’Neill spoke at the event saying: “Education goes beyond the walls of SETU, it goes right out into industry. The tourism in industry is all about connection, collaboration and a passion that the staff certainly have and that you have too.” 

“SETU has always been at the forefront of responding to change. We’ve always met with you informally but forming this formal external engagement group is really important."

“Our students shine in so many ways. In the last month, for example, one of our BA culinary arts graduates, David Hart was named the Eurotalk chef of the year.

SETU graduates perform at the highest level on the world stage."

He ended his speech saying: "As industry involves in terms of sustainability and technology, we need our students to have authentic experiences.

That has to be at the forefront of what we do."

The launch was followed by a panel discussion titled ‘A Fresh approach to Culinary, Hospitality and Tourism Education.'