‘Tourism threat’ as chef vacancies rise by 200pc

IRELAND’S hospitality industry is facing a shortage of chefs as job vacancies have increased by an average of 200pc since 2013, research has revealed.

The dearth of chefs could threaten the continued success of the Irish tourism industry, according to Christopher Paye, general manager of the employment website jobs.ie.

“There is a mounting risk that demand for workers will outstrip supply,” he said.

“This is already proving the case for chefs.”

He added that the growth in the tourism sector could be “short-lived” if the skills shortage isn’t addressed.

Despite that concern, the findings are good news for job-seekers across the country.

“Ireland’s buoyant tourism market has created plenty of new opportunities for professionals interested in a job or a career working in a hotel, be that in food and drink, or general front-of-house hospitality and management,” said Mr Paye.

The website analysed the number of adverts for key hotel sector jobs – including chefs, bartenders, waiters, porters, receptionists and concierges – between 2013 and 2017.

It found that “every role has experienced growth in the last five years, particularly since 2016,” with a 260pc increase in hotel receptionist vacancies alone.