Former South East Technological University (SETU) students and Waterford brothers Ronan and Harrison Sharpe are the manager and head chef team behind the award-winning Elbow Lane Brew and Smokehouse.
The Cork city restaurant, which combines an in-house nano brewery with a smokehouse, was named winner of the Best Casual Dining category in Munster at the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards held in Dublin recently.
Reacting to the win Nuala Gordon, lecturer at SETU, said, “Congratulations to Ronan, who is general manager, and his brother Harrison, who is head chef, on the recent win at the Restaurant Awards and for the unbelievable success they have made of Elbow Lane.”
Family footsteps
Ronan and Harrison come from a family steeped in the food, farming, and hospitality industries. The family set up Brady Quality Meats, mum Mary, is a third-generation publican at Brady’s Bar, and their uncle Declan Brady runs independent off-licence Worldwide Wines. Growing up, Ronan and Harrison helped with these businesses, and both wanted to follow in their family’s footsteps in the hospitality sector.
To do so, Ronan embarked on a level seven Diploma in Restaurant Management at SETU before completing a level eight BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management.
Mentors
Meanwhile, Harrison completed the Culinary Arts programme at SETU having transferred from Cork in 2014. During his studies at SETU, Harrison met “mentor-chefs” Michael Quinn and Tony Barry, crediting them for completely changing his outlook on his studies. “They just knew how to get the best from you. When someone else is passionate about what they do they make you stand up that bit straighter and make you feel like you want to be like them. That is what I think about this career now - it is a profession.”
Both courses are open to new entrants, career changers, or those who wish to improve their qualifications. They are earn-and-learn programmes that allow students to work and study part-time simultaneously.
Applications
Applications are currently being accepted for September 2024 entry and are funded up to 95% from the Government-backed Springboard office. For more information click through to SETU’s website.
Waterford brothers Ronan and Harrison Sharpe, manager and head chef of Elbow Lane Brew and Smokehouse, celebrate the restaurant’s recent award win.
