A special pre‑Christmas Community Kitchen programme, developed by Moville FRC in collaboration with John from Inish Fusion, has given a group of local young people hands‑on experience in the fast‑paced world of hospitality.
The initiative was proudly supported by IDP, Community Food and Nutrition Worker Niamh Britton through the Safefood Community Food Initiative, and the North Inishowen School Completion Programme.
Over eight weeks, participants immersed themselves in every aspect of running a professional kitchen and restaurant. Under the guidance of the Inish Fusion team, they learned essential practical skills, teamwork, communication, food safety, and the confidence needed to thrive in a busy hospitality environment.
For many, the experience was transformative. One young person shared:
“I have learned skills I would never get anywhere else. I feel I could look for part‑time work in a kitchen while I’m still at school, and I will definitely look at chef training when I finish.”
Another participant said:
“I tried every part of the restaurant – it’s been just great, worth getting up every Saturday for 8 weeks. The kitchen is my favourite place – yes it’s pressure, but it’s so rewarding.”
Along with building skills and confidence, the group also had the chance to give back to their community. They designed their own menus and hosted two ‘Social Saturdays’ at Inish Fusion on 13th and 20th December, offering meals and hospitality to local people as part of the project’s commitment to community connection.
Reflecting on the success of the programme, Niamh Britton, Community Food and Nutrition Worker for IDP, said:
“This has been a wonderful collaboration offering wraparound support and training opportunities to the young people, as well as focusing on reducing kitchen waste and giving back to the community. It is all about being in a circular economy – we can do so much together.”
The Community Kitchen not only provided valuable training but also created a sense of achievement, purpose and pride for everyone involved. Plans to continue and build on this successful model are already being explored as partners look toward further opportunities for local young people.
