DkIT Culinary students partner with Louth Urban Food Sanctuary to showcase local flavours

The Louth Urban Food Sanctuary (LUFS), recently held an event in collaboration with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and staff and students from its Culinary School in the Department of Hospitality.

Culinary students from DkIT’s Department of Hospitality provided a selection of delicious tasters from recipes which they have specially developed for LUFS. This live collaboration with LUFS formed part of the Gastronomy module for the second-year students in Culinary Arts, where students focus on the importance of food sustainability and the vital role of artisan food suppliers in menu design. As part of their assessment, the students paired a product from the LUFS with a product from a Louth artisan food supplier to create a unique recipe.

These recipes, especially chosen and prepared by DkIT students included, Sri Lankan inspired pork, chocolate and chilli panna cotta and a heritage pea and ham soup. Each recipe celebrated the synergy between produce grown by the LUFS community and local artisan ingredients, offering a taste of how sustainability and flavour can thrive together.

The event also brought together local food producers and the grower’s community to showcase the rich diversity of locally sourced ingredients and sustainable food practices from across Louth.

Elizabeth Murray, Lecturer in Hospitality at DkIT said:

“This collaboration with Louth Urban Food Sanctuary was an ideal way for students to work with local food growers and put their culinary skills to the test. The opportunity to combine both local ingredients with their own culinary influences was a wonderful chance for students to learn about food sustainability and the importance of working with local food growers in developing innovative recipes. I want to thank Louth County Council, LUFS and Creative Spark for including our students in this wonderful initiative.

It also showcases a dynamic and engaging approach to teaching and learning within the Hospitality Department, incorporating elements of Universal Design (UDL) and embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in a live event. Hospitality today requires more than knowing the subject matter, it is critical to know how to work with people and learn from them. Bringing industry experience to the classroom not only enhances the student's understanding of theory but offers them the best possible student experience.”

Learn more about Louth Urban Food Sanctuary: Louth Urban Food Sanctuary

Find out more about Culinary Arts at DkIT: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts at DkIT / Hospitality Studies / School of Business & Humanities / DkIT - Dundalk Institute of Technology