Welcome from Commissioner General

LORCAN CRIBBIN

Euro-Toques, the European Community of Cooks is an organisation committed to defending European Culinary Heritage and promoting this objective as a way of life.

Dear Euro-toques Members Firstly, I want to thank members for approving my nomination as Commissioner-General at our AGM in Waterford Castle earlier this year. I want to assure you that I am fully committed to the job and intend to work hard for Euro-toques over the two years of my tenure. Over the past few years the profile of Euro-toques Ireland has risen immensely and I hope to see this continue. The principles of local-sourcing, seasonality and support for small food producers have never been so popular and more and more chefs around the country are working within the standards of Euro-toques. I aim to grow the membership of the organisation by encouraging those who are already meeting our standards, but are not yet members, to join and by

increasing active participation by our up and coming young chefs. The youth is of course the future of every organisation.

My mission as Commissioner-General is to ensure that we stay true to our original aims and objectives, principally defending artisan producers and ensuring the availability of top quality local foods for us to use in our kitchens. We will do this by active involvement on industry groups and lobbying of policy-makers, as well as events and practical moves to assist and promote small and artisan producers.

In addition to our activities at national level, we will become increasingly involved at European level. At the Euro-toques International General Assembly in Brussels on March 27th I was appointed to the position of Vice-President on the board of Euro-toques International. Another Euro-toques Ireland Commissioner, Brid Torrades, sits on the European Food Committee, which is central to our lobbying activities in Europe. Ireland therefore holds two of the most senior positions at international level in the organisation. Euro-toques is increasing its voice in Europe and has been invited to take part in several important industry groups, conferences and events. The Irish delegation will work hard to ensure the opinion of professional cooks and chefs is heard in Europe.

I know you share my passion for top quality produce and excellent food and I would like to thank you all for your continued support of Euro-toques and its goals. Remember, this is your organisation – we appreciate your input and feedback – please let us know if you have any concerns or if you wish to highlight great food produce, people or events in your area.

I look forward to seeing you in 2007.

Yours sincerely,

Lorcan Cribbin

Commissioner-General                             March 2007

Lorcan Cribbin is Head Chef at Bang Cafe on Merrion Row in Dublin. He was appointed Commissioner-General of Euro-toques Ireland in February 2007 for the 2007-8 term.

Lorcan is also Vice-President of Euro-toques International