Open Kitchen Week, an initiative from Chef Network, will take place countrywide from the 10th to the 16th of November, and registration is now open for host kitchens.
Now in its third year, the programme presents a distinctive opportunity for aspiring chefs of all ages and backgrounds — from transition year students to passionate mature learners — to gain hands-on experience working behind the scenes in a selection of Ireland’s professional kitchens, across restaurants, hotels, cafés, bakeries, and more. Chef Network also hopes to welcome parents, teachers, career guidance counsellors, and journalists who can influence career choices.
For host kitchens, it provides a valuable chance to showcase the industry in a positive light, draw in new talent, and contribute to building a sustainable future for the culinary sector. Chef Network hope to encourage a diverse range of kitchens to take part, showcasing the wide variety of kitchens within the industry.
People come to the host kitchen as guests, not workers, gathering insight into the kitchen on a normal working day. As a host kitchen, they will be asked to offer up to three kitchen guest slots during Open Kitchen Week. These can be anything from a couple of hours up to a maximum of 8 hours long. Participants will have the chance to meet the team, see what their jobs involve, get a feel for life in a kitchen, and even do some simple and safe kitchen activities.
Kitchens can sign up now on the Open Kitchen week website, and Chef Network will be in touch to guide them through the participation, including a briefing call to give an overview of how the experience works for both the kitchen host and participant.
Launched in 2023, previous participating restaurants and kitchens included Michelin-starred Aniar, Rare at Blue Haven, Glovers Alley, Bread 41, Osprey Hotel, Clayton Hotel Galway, Praline Pastry and Chocolate Shop, Gather & Gather at Airbnb, Allo’s Bar Bistro Townhouse, Guinness Storehouse and Killeavy Castle Estate.
Becca Sweeney, Head Chef at Hooked Sligo and Chef Network spokesperson, highlighted the importance of the initiative for the future of the profession and why she has gotten involved as an Open Kitchen host: “Open Kitchen is really about us opening up our doors and showing people what it is like behind the scenes in professional kitchens; showcasing great employers in the sector and the huge variety of career opportunities that exist for anyone who is passionate about food and cooking. It is a great boost for my team too, to have the opportunity to host someone and show off their pride in their profession. I would really encourage fellow chefs to register for Open Kitchen and offer slots for kitchen visits in November. By participating in Open Kitchen Week 2025, kitchens can play a vital role in shaping the industry’s future by highlighting career paths, attracting new talent, and potentially identifying their next star employee.”
Open Kitchen trade partners and supporters include Dalata Hotel Group, Gather & Gather and Henderson Foodservice.
Chef Network is looking for kitchens that can offer a positive kitchen experience to become Open Kitchen hosts. Find out how at www.openkitchen.ie
Keep up to date with Chef Network on social media @chefnetworkirl
