Word from the West

West of Ireland food writer Anne Marie Carroll, reports on the recent Athru 2016 conference in Galway city, which focused on empowerment across the culinary arts

Galway’s recent Athru 2016 conference focused on empowering women in the culinary arts in Ireland - and this core focus was echoed in the words of Darina Allen, “Talent has no gender”.

The two day conference and workshop was attended by close to 200 people and aims to establish a working Irish female chef database and mentoring system that would ensure that women are included on a 50/50 platform for judging, media and/or to provide a female voice and point of view.

Athru 2016 had an equal number of male and female speakers with Colin Harmon from 3FE leading the key note address on Monday - running a progressive business and kitchen in Dublin, he and Head Chef and Athru 2016 founder Hilary O’Hagan Brennan expressed the need for “A change to happen around traditional practices and the way of doing things in the culinary arts. It’s not about men and women, it is about how the way things are run. The brigade kitchen system and the nature of kitchen does need to change,” explained Hilary.

“In our first of Athru 2016 on both days there were 15 men in attendance, on each day. This is our first year. The conference aimed to raise the questions that need to be asked of the industry across the board. We had 50/50 male/female speakers.

Athru 2016 was about starting the conversation for change”, commented Jess Murphy of Kai Cafe. "Athru has been interesting, empowering to everybody. The industry needs to change throughout. The discussions, the speakers - what will come out of this will be a catalyst for change. We are starting the conversations that need to happen. Athru could be a twice annual conference, moving throughout the country. Awareness from this has been incredible, the last two days on social media has been powerful. It was a fully inclusive empowering event."

Eanna Hassett, Director of food and beverage at Ashford Castle, agreed. “It’s about changing the processes and work practices within the industry,” he said. “Everybody wants more balance. Mentoring will be key to bringing this industry on, you want people to be the best they can be and it doesn’t matter if they are a man or a woman.”

For more information on Athru 2016 check out www.athru.net or follow @Athru2016 across all social media platforms.

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Anne Marie Carroll is a freelance food writer and member of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild who lives in Galway with her husband and two children. 

With a background in design and illustration, Anne Marie made the switch to journalism with a regular food and wine column in The Galway Advertiser. Her work now mainly focuses on restaurant reviews, writing and editing recipes, the development of food photo shoots, including styling and photography. She also writes for a number of other publications and works as a consultant for small producers, food retailers and restaurants.

Anne Marie writes about all things food from the West of Ireland at her blog, Warm & Snug & Fat. You can also find her on twitter as @Biscuits4ABear