Local Champion Ciaran Kelly Mentors Next Gen Pizza Chefs in Belfast

North Belfast is buzzing with the news that local entrepreneur and World Pizza Champion, Ciaran Kelly, is sharing his award-winning expertise with the next generation of chefs right here in the city. Ciaran, founder of the popular Pizza Crew, recently achieved a long-held ambition by partnering with Belfast Met and the Northern Ireland Food To Go Association to launch an intensive three-week Pizza Chef Academy.

This groundbreaking course is the first of its kind as part of the new Food-To-Go Academy, designed to equip aspiring chefs with real-world skills. Ciaran, who boasts decades of experience in crafting delicious pizzas and running successful takeaway businesses, expressed immense pride in helping to shape the future of the local food industry.

"I'm a huge proponent of encouraging people to consider a career as a pizza chef," Ciaran explained. "It’s a craft, a science, and a business. When you understand all three, the opportunities are endless. Passing on what I’ve learned over the years is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and this course gives students practical skills they can take straight into a professional kitchen." Ciaran also noted inspiration from his mentor, pizza legend John Arena, who champions sharing knowledge and uplifting new talent within the World Pizza Champions community.

The Northern Ireland Food To Go Association believes this new Academy will play a vital role in addressing ongoing recruitment challenges within the sector, providing participants with a genuine pathway into employment. Throughout the three-week programme, students delved into everything from essential knife skills to the intricate science of dough and toppings, with Ciaran providing hands-on guidance daily. They even gained valuable live work experience at established local pizzerias, including Pizza Crew, culminating in a final showcase meal. "It’s the kind of training I wish had existed when I was starting out," Ciaran reflected.

The Pizza Chef Academy was fully funded by the Department for the Economy NI through its Skill Up initiative, ensuring participants gained crucial skills for modern pizzerias and food-to-go environments.

For anyone passionate about building a career in pizza making, Ciaran extends an open invitation. "We’re always keen to meet enthusiastic people. Experience is helpful, but not essential, as passion and drive matter most," he said. Interested individuals can reach out to Ciaran directly via email at ciaran@pizzacrew.co. The Pizza Crew team is always happy to share their knowledge with new trainees.

You can also experience Ciaran's award-winning pizza yourself by visiting www.pizzacrew.co to order or download the Pizza Crew app. Their local stores include Andersonstown Road (02890 601060), Antrim Road (02896 919676), Ormeau Road (02895 320200), and Lisburn (02892 441159).