One of Ireland’s finest student chefs is celebrating after being awarded a place on the prestigious Spanish Gastronomy Programme.

Cormac Withero from GMIT fended off the challenge from hundreds of other aspiring chefs from across the world to take one of the 12 finalist spots on the programme.

The third-year culinary arts management student will travel to Spain later this year for a six-week course in the Spanish language and gastronomy, before pitting his talents against hopefuls from the UK, Singapore and Mexico in the 7th International Tapas Competition in November.

He'll also partake in a 13-week internship at a top Valladolid restaurant before embarking on a cross-country tour in order to "gain a deeper insight into Spanish gastronomy, products and culture".

Cormac becomes the second Irish student to claim a place on the programme in the last two years. He follows in the footsteps of DIT’s Ciarán Doyle, who qualified for the experience, worth about €12,000, in 2014.

‘Delighted’ with opportunity

Having already completed a placement at a Michelin star hotel in Barcelona last year following some invaluable guidance from lecturer Anne O'Leary, Cormac is delighted with the opportunity to return to one of the world's undisputed food capitals.

“I’m looking to expand my learning and get a good knowledge of gastronomy. I’m looking forward to heading over to Spain and improving my Spanish, meeting people from all over the world and learning stuff off them. It will be a great experience,” the 25-year-old said.

Cormac hopes to open his own restaurant in the future.