May Secondary Schools Cookbook Competition at University of Galway

 Transition Year Students from DEIS and Link post-primary schools in the border, midlands and western region have taken part in the final of the Uni4U+ College Cookbook Competition at University of Galway.  

The students were tasked with coming up with five dinners for one person – all for less than €35 per week. Students were also required note if the recipe was high in protein, low in calories, vegan friendly, coeliac friendly and so on.  

The recipes were judged by chef, restaurateur and author, Dr JP McMahon, who said: “For me, it’s really important to show young students the different opportunities there are to get them into university but also to get them interested in cooking.” 

The winners included: 

• Overall Individual Entry: Ashton Greer from Coláiste Muire Máthair, Galway City 
• Overall Group Entry: Joe Sullivan, James Murray, Seoijin Lee and Krzysztof Kotarba from Coláiste Muire Máthair, Galway City 
• Best Design: Jaynel Almanzar Cordero, Coláiste Muire Máthair, Galway City  
• Most Creative Recipie: Iarla Ó Brádaigh, Aodháin Ó Donnchadha, Ciarán Dwyer and Diarmad Ó Fátharta from Coláiste Cholmcille, Inverin, Co. Galway 
• Most Nutritious Recipe: Aedín Ní Chualáin from Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, Carraroe, Co. Galway 
• Most Budget-Friendly Recipe: Amelia Dlugoskecka from Roscommon Community College  

Roscommon Community College student Amelia Dlugoskecka said: “The whole competition got me really interested in nutrition and it’s something I will consider doing in the future.”  

The Uni4U+ Programme gives secondary school students the opportunity to visit University of Galway’s campus and gain an insight into university life and is an integral part of the outreach work undertaken at the University of Galway Access Centre. 

Speaking about the project, Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Academic Manager at University of Galway’s Access Centre said: “Our outreach work is core to the Access Centre’s regional commitment, to both our DEIS schools and the wider communities. Our primary aim is to design creative interventions in these areas, which promote accessibility to higher education by informing, empowering, and inspiring all. This event epitomises such work.” 

For further information on the work of the Access Centre, head to Access Centre - University of Galway. 

Ends