Matthew Scores Olympic Double

TU Dublin Culinary Arts student Matthew Looram was awarded the Plate Trophy and the Rising Star Award at the 9th World Young Chef Olympiad held in India.

He received the Plate Trophy for his dish "King Prawn 'Ratatouille', Riz Aromata, Prawn Bisque" which consisted of king prawns cooked in an alternative ratatouille, braised aromatic rice and rich prawn bisque to finish.

Student chefs from 56 countries competed in this international competition which was run over five days, taking place in five of India’s major cities including New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune Goa and Kolkata.

Matthew (pictured with George Smith, Lecturer, Culinary Arts TU Dublin) said it was "a great honour to be awarded trophies and medals at this level", adding that culinary arts has opened a world of opportunities for him which he had never previously imagined.

Dr Denise O’Leary (Head of School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology, TU Dublin) congratulated Matthew and said, "We are very proud of Matthew’s achievements. I look forward to following his career, especially as it is such an exciting time to become a chef."

Matthew’s mentor George Smith (Lecturer, Culinary Arts, TU Dublin) added that "an event like the World Young Chef Olympiad is a major opportunity to get recognition of your talent as a chef."