I'm Cian O'Rourke
A user-focused Full-Stack Developer at Babylon, with a Diploma in Software Development from Code Institute. I build full-stack, AI-integrated applications with Next.js, TypeScript, and Firebase, turning business requirements into responsive, intuitive products, and I use AI-optimised workflows to keep delivery fast and reliable. I also mentor aspiring developers through code reviews and Scrum discussions. Having worked as a Chef de Partie in award-winning Dublin restaurants, I bring real skills in staying calm under pressure, organising a team, and delivering under tight deadlines.
My Journey
From professional kitchens to coding bootcamps, every experience has shaped my approach to development
Full-Stack Developer, Babylon
December 2025 - Present
Develop and maintain Babylon, a platform helping international residents integrate into Irish life. Built most of the core logic for the Community Chat Hub (1:1 and group messaging, CRUD operations, state management, chat notifications, friend and connection requests) and shipped 100+ production features with React and Next.js. Integrate Firebase services and external APIs alongside 6+ developers across 2+ teams, cut roughly 30 minutes per pull request with automated CI/CD checks, resolved 20+ bugs through code review and pre-deployment testing, and use AI-assisted tools to support reviews, document workflows, and onboard junior developers.
Professional Kitchen Experience
2021-2025
Chef de Partie at Crudo and Achara, award-winning Dublin restaurants. Optimised kitchen workflows to stay efficient under pressure, managed food ordering and stock control, and developed daily specials while working in a fast-paced team.
Software Development Diploma
2019-2020
Completed the Diploma in Software Development (NFQ Level 6) at Code Institute during Covid, after Harvard's CS50: Introduction to Computer Science in 2019. Gained broad skills in technical, problem-solving and communications domains through four focused projects.
Culinary to Code
2021-2025
After completing my diploma during Covid when few organisations were hiring junior developers, I gained invaluable experience in award-winning restaurants while staying passionate about my software career and keeping my skills sharp on private projects.
Full-Stack Developer, Babylon
Develop and maintain Babylon, a platform helping international residents integrate into Irish life. Built most of the core logic for the Community Chat Hub (1:1 and group messaging, CRUD operations, state management, chat notifications, friend and connection requests) and shipped 100+ production features with React and Next.js. Integrate Firebase services and external APIs alongside 6+ developers across 2+ teams, cut roughly 30 minutes per pull request with automated CI/CD checks, resolved 20+ bugs through code review and pre-deployment testing, and use AI-assisted tools to support reviews, document workflows, and onboard junior developers.
Professional Kitchen Experience
Chef de Partie at Crudo and Achara, award-winning Dublin restaurants. Optimised kitchen workflows to stay efficient under pressure, managed food ordering and stock control, and developed daily specials while working in a fast-paced team.
Software Development Diploma
Completed the Diploma in Software Development (NFQ Level 6) at Code Institute during Covid, after Harvard's CS50: Introduction to Computer Science in 2019. Gained broad skills in technical, problem-solving and communications domains through four focused projects.
Culinary to Code
After completing my diploma during Covid when few organisations were hiring junior developers, I gained invaluable experience in award-winning restaurants while staying passionate about my software career and keeping my skills sharp on private projects.
Where Culinary Meets Code
The skills I learned in professional kitchens translate perfectly to software development
From the Kitchen
Stress Management
Managing kitchen teams and multiple orders during dinner rush in award-winning restaurants taught me to handle tight deadlines and complex requirements effectively.
Attention to Detail
Every garnish matters in plating, just like every semicolon matters in code.
Team Organization
Running kitchen teams in professional environments taught me to organize teams effectively, delegate tasks, and ensure seamless collaboration under pressure.
To the Code
Agile Development
Quick iterations, rapid problem-solving, and delivering quality under tight timelines.
Clean Code
Writing maintainable, readable code with the same precision I brought to food presentation.
Cross-functional Teams
Working effectively with designers, product managers, and stakeholders.
Beyond the Screen
After completing my software development diploma, I continued to work on small private projects while working full-time as a chef. This dual approach allowed me to maintain and grow my technical skills while gaining invaluable experience in high-pressure professional environments.
I mentor 6+ aspiring developers through code reviews and Scrum discussions, experiment with AI coding tools and CI/CD pipelines, and contribute to GitLab's open-source ecosystem through contributors.gitlab.com, improving contributor resources and supporting the wider developer community.
When I'm not crafting code, you'll find me experimenting with new recipes, exploring local food markets, or planning my next culinary adventure. Whether I'm debugging a complex algorithm or perfecting a new dish, I approach every challenge with curiosity, creativity, and persistence.
Current Obsession
I love working with fish and learning about all the different ways you can use fish and fish butchery techniques.