The catering industry is currently battling inflating expenses and lack of staff, resulting in 280 eateries shutting their doors in recent months. The trouble with staffing has hit the chefs and cooks especially hard, as it is increasingly difficult to hire internationally due to visa hold-ups.
To tackle these challenges, the owners of a dining establishment, located on the Wild Atlantic Way, are presenting an enticing proposal to chefs – free living quarters with all expenses taken care of, if they are willing to work in west Cork. This place, Curiosities, is nestled in Castletownbere on the Beara peninsula, conveniently located just across from the globally renowned McCarthy’s Bar, subject of a top selling novel from the 90s.
The chef would have an exclusive apartment, all expenses paid, plus salary. The last chef vacated the post due to personal issues, and since January, the eatery has been searching for a replacement.
Curiosities is known for its hearty and traditional cooking from Beara peninsula, with delightful dishes like spiced beef and potato cakes. It also operates as a second-hand furniture shop.
Kim Kinsella, the co-proprietor, likens residing on the Beara peninsula to inhabiting the mythical Narnia. She praises the sublime harbour-side landscape and the wonderful community spirit that echoes old-world Ireland. The area is rugged and wild, yet functional.
The co-owner’s values lie in simple food and stimulating conversations, discouraging customers from using their phones. During the holidays, the patrons are primarily tourists, whereas locals frequent the restaurant in the colder months. According to Ms Kinsella, the wintertime in Castletownbere is quite charming, contrary to common beliefs. In 2020, a stimulus was given out, termed a once-in-a-lifetime job, for managing a café and tourist accommodation on Great Blasket Island, which drew an incredible 42,000 applicants.
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