7 minute read
IN CONVERSATION WITH… JUMOKE AKINTOLA
IN CONVERSATION WITH… Jumoke Akintola, chef and co-owner of Beach House
The Waterfordbased chef talks about trusting your gut and swapping Dublin for Tramore
Peter Hogan and Jumoke Akintola
WHERE DOES YOUR INTEREST IN FOOD COME FROM? WAS IT AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF FAMILY LIFE GROWING UP?
I was lucky to grow up in a household where we ate freshly cooked meals prepared with fresh ingredients on a daily basis. Although I was born and raised in London my family are from Nigeria, so I’ve always appreciated the connection between food, memories, history and emotions. That being said, my interest in food and cooking was kickstarted when Peter and I started dating 12 years ago.
YOU’RE A ‘SELF-TAUGHT’ CHEF. WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT COOKING WAS SOMETHING YOU WERE GOOD AT?
Though I resisted, as many adolescents would, I was expected to help out in the kitchen when food was being cooked from an early age. Helping out involved simple things such as getting ingredients from the fridge or pantry. It was also how my family tried to teach me Yoruba. Being self-taught, I still have a lot to learn but suppose I realised that I could become good at cooking when I and other people were enjoying food that I had cooked.
YOU WERE ALSO A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER. DO YOU MISS TEACHING?
I taught Sociology to 14-19 year olds and I loved it. It was a hugely enjoyable and formative experience but it wasn’t something I wanted to do forever.
WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN FROM RUNNING THE FISH SHOP RESTAURANTS IN DUBLIN? WERE YOU ABLE TO APPLY THEM TO THE BEACH HOUSE?
So many lessons but probably number one is to trust your gut and make time to listen to your inner voice.
DID IT TAKE LONG TO FIND A PREMISES IN TRAMORE?
Moving to Tramore was something that we saw in our future but we weren’t actively “looking”. It all just came together at the right time.
HOW LONG DID YOU MANAGE TO OPEN THE BEACH HOUSE BEFORE CLOSING DUE TO COVID?
Four days in March and then three months from July to September.
DID YOU CONSIDER DOING TAKEAWAYS?
From March until July we stayed closed and just worked on the premises. We didn’t want to introduce the restaurant with takeaway. We were able to operate as a restaurant from July to September, before restrictions came in again. We did takeaway from September until December.
HOW DO YOU FIND TRAMORE? BIG CHANGE FROM DUBLIN?
I couldn’t compare our lives pre and during Covid just yet. That being said, we have appreciated being so close to the sea at this time.
WHAT SHOULD A CUSTOMER EXPECT FROM DINING AT THE BEACH HOUSE?
Lovely ingredients, prepared, cooked and served with love.
WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE BEACH HOUSE?
To still be here in 20 years’ time.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DISH?
Spaghetti and tomato sauce or jollof rice.
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING LOCKDOWN?
Planning and dreaming.
Survive to THRIVE
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland
On the 1st of February, Fáilte Ireland shared its plans to support the survival and recovery of the tourism sector at a special virtual event entitled ‘Survive to Thrive’ which was watched by over five thousand members of the tourism industry. Paul Kelly, CEO talks to us about the National Tourism Development Authority’s priorities for 2021 including new business supports, domestic marketing, urban outdoor investment and grant schemes.
“Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on tourism. The sector’s revenue has declined by a massive €6 billion and tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. As we move into what will undoubtedly be another very challenging year, Fáilte Ireland’s focus is on supporting resilience and survival in the short term and the recovery of the sector in the long-term,” explains Paul.
In 2021, Fáilte Ireland will continue to offer expert advice and guidance to support the industry during the Covid-19 crisis. “We will be rolling out new employee, business and sector supports
on areas such as strategy and leadership, finance and cost efficiency, food and beverage innovation and service excellence to drive performance and help the industry navigate the challenges they are facing,” says Paul. “I’d encourage businesses to continue visiting our online Covid-19 Business Support Hub on www.failteireland.ie for the latest supports.”
As the vaccine rollout gets underway, Fáilte Ireland is hopeful that some kind of domestic tourism activity can start again this summer. “Domestic tourism will be the first to return and we plan to invest significantly in marketing to drive domestic tourism when the country re-opens. Our research tells us that the ‘Keep Discovering’ campaign we launched prior to the Covid-19 pandemic resonates even more strongly with people now and we will be rolling the campaign out at both a national and county level.”
To prepare for the return of tourism, Fáilte Ireland has developed a new digital transformation programme. “Online planning and booking have become even more important. We will be working with the industry to build improved websites and online booking capability.”
Fáilte Ireland will also be investing in urban areas. “We are hoping to launch two new pilot funding schemes in collaboration with our local authority partners to enhance urban areas and make them more appealing to visitors,” says Paul, “the Outdoor Dining Grant Scheme which will aim to improve the quality of outdoor dining spaces and offer reassurance around safety and comfort and the Urban Animation Grant Scheme which we hope will animate cities and towns with innovative lighting and art installations. We’re also continuing to implement projects to boost the attractiveness and tourism appeal of 31 towns nationwide through our Destination Towns Scheme which launched in 2019 and is progressing well.”
Over five thousand members of the tourism industry watched Fáilte Ireland’s virtual event ‘Survive to Thrive’
At the virtual industry event, Fáilte Ireland announced details of a new €55 million Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. The allocation was secured by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. in Budget 2021 and Fáilte Ireland is responsible for developing and administering the scheme. “The Tourism Business Continuity Scheme will support tourism businesses that were not eligible for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) payment or previous Fáilte Ireland continuity grant schemes with direct financial assistance to offset fixed costs and help them to continue operating through 2021,” says Paul. “The first phase of the scheme opens for applications (from the 11th February to 8th March) to businesses including outdoor activity providers, visitor attractions not eligible for CRSS, caravan and camping providers registered with Fáilte Ireland and cruise hire companies.” Eligibility criteria and further information on the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme can be found on www.failteireland.ie.
As the tourism sector continues to face incredibly difficult challenges due to COVID-19, Paul believes there are reasons to be hopeful. “Although not quite like this crisis, tourism has weathered many previous crises and each time we have come back stronger – whether it was foot and mouth or the financial crisis. The deeper the crisis, the stronger the recovery and the higher the post-crisis peak. Covid-19 undoubtedly dwarfs previous crises, but I firmly believe that working together, once it is safe to do so again, we can deliver a recovery of a scale befitting the scale of this crisis.”
For more information on Fáilte Ireland’s 2021 plans and priorities, visit www.failteireland.ie
Fáilte Ireland plans to roll out their ‘Keep Discovering’ campaign when the country re-opens
