Hospitality and other public-facing jobs are hugely beneficial in growing young people’s confidence, according to a leading Irish chef.

JP McMahon says his “introverted” 15-year-old daughter has recently started working in his Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant.

On The Hard Shoulder today, the Galway-based chef shared the benefits that working in hospitality can bring to young people.

“She’s been a bit more out of her shell from engaging with people and engaging in social situations and the dynamics with customers since starting,” he said.

“It’s also a place to learn the value of money. A lot of us go to restaurants and question the cost of food, but you have to remember the people cooking and serving for you.

“It’s a valuable life skill and it’s something I did myself from 15, and I ended up in the career. It can be applied to so much.”

JP McMahon at the Dublin programme launch of the Galway Food Festival, 23-3-17. Image: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Mr McMahon said hospitality also improves confidence.

“I've seen young people come in over the last couple of years, 15, 16, and 17-year-olds, who may have stayed with us each summer, and their confidence just grows and grows,” he said.

“In the end, they seem like completely different people. It shows people who are in school the other aspects of what they can do, and there are so many benefits to being public-facing.

“It doesn’t even have to be hospitality; it could be hairdressing, retail, whatever.”

Hospitality customers

The restaurateur said "99% of customers" are pleasant nowadays.

“It’s very rare that we would have someone who is very discontent,” he said.

“But they have become more demanding in other aspects like allergies and their dislikes cropping into a meal.

"I think sometimes they don’t realise the labour that goes into preparing food.”

Diners at a restaurant.

Mr McMahon said expectations have changed since COVID.

“I think that the demand for working in restaurants has changed because of people's higher expectations during COVID,” he said.

“Since people might be going out less often, they want to make sure they have a great experience when they do go out, which might be just once a week.”

You can listen back here:

Main image: A young waiter takes an order from a couple at a restaurant. Image: Andriy Popov / Alamy Stock Photo