Tyrone’s own ‘Pat the Baker’ still going strong after 50 years

FOR those who have passed through the gates of Loughry College in Cookstown over the past 50 years, one face that has remained a constant is that of Pat McTeague.

Mr McTeague has been working at Loughry, now part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) since 1974.

This year has been special for him, celebrating 50 years of continuous employment within the civil service.

He started work as a Laboratory Assistant carrying out analysis on food products and providing science support in the delivery of education programmes.

Over the years, Mr McTeague has witnessed many transformations, even those of name changes of the campus.

Once Loughry College of Agriculture and Food Technology to Loughry College – the Food Centre and now to CAFRE, Loughry Campus.

One thing that has remained a constant is Mr McTeague’s dedication to his career at Loughry Campus.

His employer may not have changed but his role evolved.

Moving from the laboratories, he transitioned into work as a Food Technologist with the creation of extended Food Technology services.

With an interest in bakery products, Mr McTeague is well-known among food businesses in the North. CAFRE’s own ‘Pat the Baker’!

With the creation of the modern Food Technology Centre in 1998, he further developed the fruit, vegetable and brewing processing capabilities at Loughry.

Instrumental in the purchase of innovative equipment, Mr McTeague and his Food Technology Technician colleagues demonstrate processing and adapt techniques in line with industry developments.

His vast food processing expertise has greatly benefitted both CAFRE staff and students, and countless local food businesses.

Always willing to help solve a processing problem, many graduates and indeed Loughry staff, routinely ask him for his practical advice, drawn from his years of experience.

Although now in partial retirement, his passion for helping students past and present plays a significant part in making the campus feel like a community.

He is dedicated to ensuring that students enjoy their time at college. He helps build their confidence, experience and their practical ability to equip them for careers in the food industry.

Equally dedicated to his industry work, whether brewing or baking, developing learner competence is Mr McTeague’s true vocation.

He has always advocated that practical based learning is the key to making students ‘industry ready’ – something that has become synonymous with Loughry graduates over the years.

Many managers in the Northern Ireland food sector today have been mentored by him.

In recognition of his dedication to Loughry students, Mr McTeague was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2023.

CAFRE staff and students, past and present wish Mr McTeague good health and the determination to enable him to continue, doing what he does best, sharing his passion for food processing with others.