Courses
Young chefs from across Ireland compete in prestigious Healthy Home Chef finals in Sligo
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) welcomed talented young cooks from across Ireland to its St Angela’s Campus in Sligo for the all-island finals of the Healthy Home Chef Cookery Competition, held on 6 and 7 May 2026.
Organised by the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics at ATU St Angelas and sponsored by Dunnes Stores Simply Better, the competition brought together junior and senior secondary school students from across Ireland. Following hundreds of entries from schools nationwide, 32 finalists were selected to compete in the prestigious finals, marking a significant achievement recognised throughout the two-day event.
Students recreated their dishes in ATU’s state-of-the-art food laboratories before a judging panel led by award-winning chef and television presenter Neven Maguire, who also served as head judge and ambassador for the competition.
The competition challenged students to prepare healthy, nutritious and affordable meals while demonstrating practical cookery skills and nutritional understanding.
Speaking at the event, Elaine Mooney, Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics at ATU, said:
Healthy Home Chef encourages students to develop practical Home Economics skills while promoting healthy eating in an enjoyable and creative way. The competition inspires students to take their favourite meals and make them healthier through simple changes such as adding more vegetables, reducing salt and making thoughtful nutritional choices.
She added:
“Home Economics is unique in combining practical cookery skills with nutritional theory as part of the curriculum. The standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high, and every finalist should feel incredibly proud to have reached this stage.”
The chef Neven Maguire praised the creativity, confidence and skill shown by the finalists throughout the competition.
“The standard gets better every year. It’s fantastic to see young people enjoying food and cooking from scratch with such confidence and flair. The colours, the flavours and the creativity on display have been amazing, especially considering what students achieved in just an hour and a half.”
He added:
“This competition is one of the highlights of my year. I wish I could have cooked like this at your age.”
Each finalist received a commemorative medal and a signed book from the chef in recognition of their achievement in reaching the national finals.
Winning schools also received a Neven Maguire cookery kit and an invitation to take part in a special cook-along experience with the chef. Prize packages additionally included Dunnes Stores vouchers for both winning students and teachers.
Senior cycle winners
Gold
Student: Kate Brady
School: Our Ladys College Greenhills, Greenhills, Drogheda,Co. Louth
Dish: Crispy skin seabass, roasted asparagus and tomatoes, caramelised onions, rose pot beurre blanc
Silver
Student: Maeve McCready
School: St Columba’s Comprehensive, Gortnamucklagh, Glenties, Donegal
Dish: Panfried seabass, Hasselback potatoes ratatouille, pea puree
Bronze
Student: Anne Neeson
School: Deele College, Meetinghouse St., Raphoe, Co. Donegal
Dish: Herb roasted salmon, spiced wedges, steamed broccoli, yoghurt dipping sauce
Junior cycle winners
Gold
Student: Aisling Loughlin
School: Confey Community College, River Forest, Confey, Leixlip, Kildare
Dish: Crimson Citrus Duck Couscous and Zesty Roast Broccoli
Silver
Student: Angel Lijoy John
School: Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Lisroyne, Strokestown, Roscommon
Dish: Indian Spiced Roast Chicken and Homemade Chapati
Bronze
Student: Alexandra Farrell Sparling
School: Scoil Mhuire and Ide, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Dish: Seared Tenderloin of Venison with a pistachio+ crust, parsnip and pear puree
Photo captions:
Featured photo: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Kate Brady, overall Senior winner 2026, Our Ladys College Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth, chef Neven Maguire, Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, and a Teacher.
Photo 1: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Maeve McCready, Senior Silver winner 2026, St Columba’s Comprehensive, Gortnamucklagh, Glenties, Donegal, Teacher, chef Neven Maguire, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
Photo 2: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Maeve McCready, Senior Silver winner 2026, St Columba’s Comprehensive, Gortnamucklagh, Glenties, Donegal, Teacher, chef Neven Maguire, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
Photo 3: L-RDr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Teacher, Anne Neeson, Senior Bronze winner 2026, Deele College, Meetinghouse St., Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Chef Neven Maguire, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
Photo 4: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Dr Amanda McCloat, Head of Department of Education Sciences & Head of St Angela’s Campus, Teacher, Aisling Loughlin, Junior Gold winner 2026, Confey Community College, River Forest, Confey, Leixlip, Kildare, Chef Neven Maguire, Dr Helen Maguire, Head of Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
Photo 5: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Dr Amanda McCloat, Head of Department of Education Sciences & Head of St Angela’s Campus, Parent, Teacher, Angel Lijoy John, Junior Silver winner 2026, Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Lisroyne, Strokestown, Roscommon, Chef Neven Maguire, Dr Helen Maguire, Head of Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
Photo 6: L-R Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, Dr Amanda McCloat, Head of Department of Education Sciences & Head of St Angela’s Campus, Parent, Alexandra Farrell Sparling, Junior Bronze winner 2026, Scoil Mhuire and Ide, Newcastle west, Co. Limerick, Chef Neven Maguire, Dr Helen Maguire, Head of Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas, and Dr Eileen Kelly Blakeney, Lecturer Department of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: 089 963 9559
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
