The Cacao Barry Chocolate brand has announced that they have recruited the Merrion Hotel's Executive Pastry Chef Paul Kelly to join a select group of ambassadors for the company in Ireland.
"He has been recruited because of his talent and passion for the industry and his ability to inspire professionals, to embrace innovation and to build their chocolate skills," said Robert Harrison, Gormet Sales Director for Cacao Barry in the UK and Ireland.
“Cacao Barry is delighted that Paul has accepted our invitation to become part of the International Ambassadors Club” said Harrison.
Famous for his appearances in the reality TV series, 'The Great Irish Bake Off', Kelly was for 8 years the pastry chef on the Irish Culinary Team and has won many medals in World competitions.
Paul is from Wexford and started his professional cooking career as a trainee chef in the Park Hotel Kenmare. Having worked in many 5-Star hotels and high quality restaurants throughout Ireland and Europe, he also travelled the world in search of new ideas and inspirations to satisfy his insatiable curiosity. He finally found his place as the Executive Pastry Chef at The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, where he has been working since the hotel opened. He is a creative risk taker which has lead him to develop many unique concepts such as The Merrion Art Afternoon Tea, a creative and inspiring new take on the classic afternoon tea incorporating The Merrion's extensive art collection.
Kelly developed his passion for teaching over the last six years as a part-time teacher for Culinary Arts in DIT Cathal Brugha Street Dublin where he also helps to develop new pastry and baking programs.
The Chocolate Ambassadors’ Club gathers renowned Pastry Chefs, Chocolatiers and Chefs de cuisine, representing two major professional Chocolate Brands Callebaut and Cacao Barry. The mission of this International Club is to transfer its chocolate know-how and techniques to other craftsmen all over the world. Quality, creativity, knowledge of ingredients and process leadership are the main assets of the Ambassadors.
Cacao Barry is exclusively distributed in Ireland by Redmond Fine Foods, based in Co. Kildare . Redmond Fine Foods was established in 2005 and supplies creative chefs throughout the country with integral menu ingredients. T+ 353 45 883570/73. www.redmondfinefoods.ie
