SCAFT receives the CMAI Chain of Office
Friday 25th October was a special day for our school when we proudly received the CMAI Chain of Office which the Irish Healthcare Catering Professionals Association (IHCPA) donated to our school. This special presentation was made at our School Awards Ceremony by IHCPA Past Presidents, IHCPA Council Members, supporters and friends of the IHCPA who we were delighted to welcome to our Grangegorman campus.
CEO of the IHCPA Mary Flynn marked the occasion with a short speech, after which the CMAI Chain of Office was formally received by Dr Denise O’Leary (Head of School, SCAFT).
The History of the CMAI Chain of Office November 1956 – September 2022
This Chain of Office represents the Catering Management Association of Ireland. The associations inaugural meeting was held in St. Mary’s College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin on the 24th November 1956. This meeting was supported by the then principal Miss Winifred Boucher-Hayes, along with a group of non-commercial catering managers. It was at this meeting the original voluntary association was formed – The Industrial Services Catering Management Association.
Over the next 66 years, the pioneering spirit of the association flourished. In 1974, the association changed names, and The Catering Management Association of Ireland was Established. In 1976, in recognition of the association, The Chain of Office was presented by the Catering Equipment Association of Ireland.
The disks on the chain represent the terms served by the Presidents of the Association from its inception in 1956 up to 2022.
Th association always strived to be progressive, embracing challenges and striving for excellence. However, current industry demands we must be more inclusive, of all those involved in catering, and not focus solely on management. Therefore, it is with heavy hearts, that we are archiving the Catering Management Association of Ireland.