A GROUP OF Irish business people will take part in a week-long mission to Lalibela, Ethiopia from 4 – 10 November.

Organised by the business-to-business charity Connect Ethiopia, the trip will involve 13 Irish business people in the hospitality industry who will mentor their Ethiopian counterparts.

This is the second year Connect Ethiopia has sent a delegation to Lalibela, which is a heritage town in the northern part of the country. Heading the mission will be Michelin-starred chef Kevin Thornton and Francis Brennan of the Park Hotel, Kenmare and presenter of the TV series, At Your Service.

Thornton will hold a cookery class on food preparation and assist trainees on making the most of local produce and sustainable methods of food preparation and preservation. Francis Brennan will share his expertise on hotel management and how hotels in Lalibela can raise the quality of service to tourists while keeping overheads down.

This year’s programme will also include hotel makeovers, cheese-making classes, poultry rearing and the development of a farm visit experience for tourists. Connect Ethiopia was established in 2005 by businessman Brody Sweeney and solicitor Philip Lee to encourage trade links between Ireland and Ethiopia.

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