Michaela Quigley is a Chef Takeover 2020 participant and a final year student on the four year BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts degree at WIT
Michaela is a fourth year BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts student in Waterford Institute of Technology. Michaela lives in Ferrybank Waterford with her two sisters, mother and father. Her passion for cooking was established at a young age through home-economics in school
In her culinary career Michaela has worked in a variety of establishments. Starting her professional journey, she spent a year working in one of Waterford’s most historic four-star hotels. It is here she acquired how to cope in a fast-paced environment and rustic style of cooking. Following on from this Michaela was given a great opportunity to work and study abroad. She spent a year working in Belfast’s most prestigious five-star hotel; The Culloden Estate and Spa. It is here that she learnt to multitask and learnt a wide range of skills and a fine-dining style to plating food. She worked a variety of sections including starters, veg and sides, afternoon tea and pastry and worked both hot and cold bar food. She also studied in Ulster University in Coleraine. She gained an in-depth insight into food analysis, events management and food innovation.
Now, Michaela is working in a well-respected gastro pub in Waterford. In the future Michaela hopes to run her own chocolate praline business as she has a keen interest in chocolate making.
Chef Takeover is an event presented by WIT, Pallas Foods and ABP in partnership with Bellissimo restaurant which saw 12 students create tasting menus with a strong focus on exceptional local produce. The kitchen takeover was originally scheduled for late March 2020 and has been postponed in line with the institute’s closure for student learning as part of Covid-19 measures.
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
