Precious Takes Her Next Step Towards Becoming a Chef

When Precious joined NOW Group, she had a clear goal. She wanted to have a job. A year later, she started paid employment as a Kitchen Assistant with Levy at the Aviva Stadium, where her team has praised her work.

Through our NOW Connects programme, Precious took every opportunity to learn, challenge herself and grow in confidence. She began developing her hospitality and catering skills at our social enterprise Loaf Catering and Cafés.

After receiving incredible feedback on Precious’s work ethic and infectious positivity, we worked with Lisa O’Callaghan to arrange another placement for her in the kitchen of The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin. During her time at the five star hotel, Precious gained valuable insight into the standards, skills and teamwork that go into a successful culinary career. She also discovered a natural flair for pastry. Seeing a woman lead the kitchen as Head Chef inspired Precious to set herself a new goal of becoming a chef one day.

Her role at the Aviva Stadium gave Precious the opportunity to develop those skills further and learn from Head Chef Neal Kearns and Alan Healy. She joined a team that feeds thousands of people, from concertgoers and corporate guests to sporting teams, their families and VIP visitors.

As Precious grew in confidence, she became an advocate for herself, her fellow participants and NOW Group. She shared her story on stage at our graduation event in Dublin City Hall, where Emer Higgins TD was our guest of honour, and spoke to Minister Dara Calleary about her journey into employment at the opening of our Smithfield Hub. She has also become one of the faces of our JAM Card for Business campaign with Transport for Ireland.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in Precious’s journey, especially the teams at Loaf Catering and Cafés and The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin, and the team at the Aviva Stadium.

Congratulations on your role, Precious! We wish you every success as you work towards becoming a chef.

Learn more about how NOW Group can support you into employment: www.nowgroup.org/training-jobs