Three Lake District pubs, owned by The Inn Collection Group, have opened their applications for aspiring chefs looking to enter the sector through the second Chef Academy programme.
The award-winning hospitality company has invested £9,000 into apprenticeships through the Chef Academy to address a skills shortage in the industry.
The programme, which saw its first nine learners graduate as level 2 Commis Chefs or level 3 Chef de Parties, works with Michelin-trained chef Matthew Benson-Smith and his Benson-Smith Training Academy.
The 2023 class has mastered skills ranging from making sumptuous stocks and sauces, knife proficiency, and the expert preparation of meat, game, and vegetables.
The academy does not require previous chef experience from applicants, only requiring the presence of key characteristics.
These include enthusiasm, passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
Once selected, the successful candidates will study a fully-funded one-year course, hosted at The Ambleside Inn, The Angel Inn and The Wateredge Inn.
The Inn Collection Group’s learning and development manager Ashleigh Fenwick said: “The Inn Collection Group’s Chef Academy will be market-leading in its approach to training and developing the next generation of Chefs.
"An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to learn skills while you earn and while you are in the workplace and to gain industry experience.
“We’re looking for really passionate people who have the desire to learn new skills and come and work for an exciting growing business.
“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Chef Benson-Smith Academy and can’t wait to meet our next cohort of budding chefs!"
Mr Benson-Smith explained his decision to partner with The Inn Collection Group.
He said: “We like to work with businesses that are passionate about training young people and forming their skills for the future and The Inn Collection Group have a real focus for that.
"The focus will be on learning skills from the very basics through to more complex things.
"We are all passionate about getting as much into the course as possible so that the students learn what they need to learn.”
Tom Adlam, head of food at The Inn Collection Group, spoke on the company's intentions behind the programme.
He said: “What we are keen to do is to bring that next wave of people into our business and inspire them within the company and the industry.
"It is well documented that hospitality is having a difficult moment in its history in attracting people to the industry and our Chef Academy will help us to attract brand new talent to our company.”
Interested candidates for the 2024/25 Chef Academy programme can apply by emailing Talent@inncollectiongroup.com.
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