It puts confidence back into you': Inmates speak of experience as Cork Prison hosts third pop-up restaurant

CORK Prison has proudly celebrated the third instalment of its award winning prisoner-run, pop-up restaurant.

Operated by six inmates who have completed the prison’s practical culinary skills programme, The Open Door Restaurant catered to 60 invited guests including local hoteliers, restauranteurs, and community volunteers.

The programme is headed by JJ Healy, an experienced chef and MTU lecturer. Upon completion of the initiative, all participants received an accredited certification.

Guests were treated to a carefully curated menu, comprised of Cashel Blue stuffed chestnut mushrooms, sage stuffed pork roulade, and Malteser and vanilla cheesecake.

Inmates John, 34, and James, 36, spoke to The Echo prior to the event, detailing their experience with the programme and what it means to be a part of something positive.

“You lose your confidence and opportunities when you come to a place like this, you don’t see much light at the end of the tunnel. So when something like this comes around, it’s a way forward,” James said.

“It does put confidence back into you, there’s a good bit of craic too.”

James, who has a release date of just under two years, said that the time spent in the kitchen is “like stepping into a time machine”.

“When you go in in the morning and back in the evening, your day is nearly gone.

“If you don’t have something like that, it would be a very long day. So why not upskill, why not educate yourself?” he added.

“It’s not something I thought I’d ever have an interest in before this,” John added. “It definitely makes time easier here.”

Managed jointly by the Irish Prison Service, MTU’s Department of Tourism and Hospitality, and the Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities (IASIO), the programme enables participants to pursue employment upon reintegration into society.

The governor of Cork Prison, Liam Spacey, said: “I am hugely proud to be involved in this initiative. It gives them an opportunity to fit back into the community and to make a positive contribution, which is what rehabilitation is all about.”