Culinary Salons
The Academy culinary salons brings award-winning chefs and industry experts to Academy Restaurant Belfast.
Learn from industry leaders
Inspired by Experts. Prepared for Success
Through culinary salons, guest speaker events, tasting experiences and industry collaborations, future talent and guests gain valuable real-world insight from leading professionals across the food, drink and hospitality sectors. These immersive experiences help students build professional networks, develop confidence, enhance technical and customer service skills, and gain hands-on experience in delivering high-profile events.
Working alongside industry experts allows the future talent to put their learning into practice, stay informed about emerging trends, and graduate with the knowledge, experience and industry connections needed to succeed in their careers.
Read more about just some of our past culinary salons below
Georgine Hayden
Part of the popular Culinary Salon series, the event gave diners the opportunity to enjoy a menu created by Georgina alongside students from Ulster University's Culinary Arts Management and International Hospitality Management programmes. Georgina also led a food styling masterclass, sharing industry insights with the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Delivered in partnership with the Oxford Cultural Collective and supported by the Savoy Educational Trust, the Culinary Salon series showcases exceptional culinary talent while enhancing student learning through hands-on collaboration with industry leaders.
Mark Hix
Award-winning chef and food writer Mark Hix joined students at Ulster University's Academy Restaurant for a sold-out culinary salon on 4 March 2025.
Working alongside the future talent from the BSc Culinary Arts Management and BSc International Hospitality Management programmes, Mark helped create an exclusive seasonal menu that showcased his renowned approach to sustainable British cuisine.
As part of his visit, Mark shared industry knowledge and career insights gained from his work as a leading chef, restaurateur and bestselling author, giving students valuable hands-on experience and mentorship.
Delivered in partnership with the Oxford Cultural Collective and supported by the Savoy Educational Trust.
Danilo Cortellini
Renowned Italian chef Danilo Cortellini joined students at Ulster University's Academy Restaurant on 2 April 2025 for an acclaimed culinary salon.
A former Head Chef at the Italian Embassy in London and a finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals, Danilo worked alongside the future talent from the BSc Culinary Arts Management and BSc International Hospitality Management programmes to create a bespoke menu inspired by authentic Italian cuisine.
The event also celebrated the legacy of Antonio Carluccio, widely recognised as the godfather of Italian gastronomy. Guests included representatives from the Antonio Carluccio Foundation, which has supported hospitality and culinary arts outreach initiatives at Ulster University.
Ching-He Huang
A standout event in our culinary salon series was the visit of Emmy-nominated television chef and author Ching-He Huang MBE, who joined the Academy in February 2024 to celebrate Lunar New Year.
Delivered in partnership with the Oxford Cultural Collective and Savoy Educational Trust, the event welcomed almost 100 guests for a memorable evening featuring dishes from Ching's cookbook Wok For Less, inspired by her Taiwanese heritage.
The event celebrated the cultural diversity that characterises our contemporary hospitality scene, shown a light on Northern Ireland as a leading food and drink destination and provided outstanding learning opportunities for students.
Conor Spacey
Chef and author Conor Spacey inspired students and guests at the Academy Restaurant with an innovative culinary salon focused on sustainable dining and reducing food waste. The renowned chef, author and sustainability advocate put on a memorable culinary salon focused on the future of food.
Working alongside the future talent, Conor demonstrated how ingredients that are often overlooked or discarded can be transformed into delicious, creative dishes. Guests enjoyed a unique tasting menu that celebrated sustainability, innovation and culinary talent.
The event provided Hospitality and Culinary Arts Management students with valuable industry insights and hands-on experience, reinforcing the importance of responsible food practices in modern hospitality. Through experiences like these, the Academy continues to connect students with industry leaders who are shaping the future of food and dining.
Culinary Salons
Experience inspiring discussions, expert insights, and exceptional food. Explore upcoming culinary salons on our events page.
