Kilkenny commis chef takes home National Apprentice of the Year Award

Kilkenny and Carlow ETB Commis Chef apprentice Joanne Leahy of Lenehans Bar in Kilkenny is the proud winner of the Hospitality, Food and Agriculture Award at the National Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Held at The Mansion House in Dublin the awards, now in its fourth year, showcased the 30,000 strong community of apprentices who, every day, walk the walk of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving in their work and learning.

With over 300 outstanding apprentices nominated for an award this year, Joanne was one of 12 category award winners on the night.

Speaking on Joanne’s success, Chief Executive Dr Lindsay Malone said: "On behalf of KCETB, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Joanne Leahy on her outstanding achievement in winning the Hospitality, Food and Agriculture Award.
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"Joanne’s dedication, skill, and passion for her craft exemplify the very best of our apprenticeship programmes. Her success is a testament to the transformative power of further education and training and the bright future that awaits our talented learners. We are immensely proud of her."

Reacting to her win, Joanne said: “Being named a Hospitality, Food and Agriculture Award winner fills me with gratitude. I want to acknowledge my colleagues at Lenehans Bar for their support and mentorship. It’s an honour to bring this recognition to Kilkenny and I hope my story encourages others to follow their passion through apprenticeship.

Under the tutelage of Morgan Farrell, Commis Chef instructor, Joanne’s award is another success for KCETB and the Commis Chef Apprenticeship. Earlier this year Apprentice Commis Chefs, Evan Rafter and Richard Walsh both won silver medals at the CATEX Chef Ireland competition.

Melinda Niland, Training Services Manager said: ‘Joanne’s achievement highlights the excellence and professionalism that underpin KCETB’s apprenticeship programmes. It reflects the strong collaboration between our instructors, employers, and learners in delivering industry-focused training that leads to real success with the Commis Chef Apprenticeship. This recognition is a testament to the high calibre of talent emerging from our programmes and reinforces KCETB’s ongoing commitment to supporting apprentices in reaching their full potential.’

Reflecting the importance of this award for the region, Dr Lindsay Malone further commented, "Joanne Leahy’s success is more than a personal triumph, it is a powerful signal of the growing strength and potential of the hospitality and food sector in our region. Her award showcases the calibre of talent emerging from our apprenticeship programmes and reinforces KCETB’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of local industry. This kind of recognition helps attract investment, boost tourism, and inspire future apprentices to pursue excellence right here in Kilkenny and Carlow."