Five teenagers from Cumbria and the North West are gaining a footing on the first rung of the career ladder, having joined an ‘earn-as-you-learn’ training programme to become chefs.
The quintet of students has enrolled with the English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues Culinary Academy. It offers an apprenticeship for them to attain Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie qualifications, as well as hands on, practical experience in a busy hotel kitchen.
The latest cohort of trainees includes Brodie, 18, from Carlisle, and 16-year-old school leavers George and Chloe, both from near Ulverston, Rubi from Preston and Sam from Macclesfield.
Brodie and Chloe will be learning their trade whilst working at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, whilst Sam and George will be based with the culinary team at the Wild Boar near Windermere. Rubi meanwhile will be closer to home as she commences her hospitality career at Lancaster House Hotel.
Delivered in partnership with Kendal College, the English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy was established in 2017. Its fully accredited courses allow the students to hone chef skills whilst earning a wage with the hotel group across its venues in the Lake District and North Lancashire.
“I saw the opportunity to apply for this role via the government apprenticeship website where English Lakes Hotels had advertised culinary academy positions,” explains Rubi. “I was so keen to get the job that I ended up applying twice, because I also filled in the application on the hotel group’s website too to try and get myself recognised!”
Daniel Winstanley from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues adds: “Under the guidance of our fantastic culinary teams and experienced head chefs, the new apprentices will learn the fundamentals of kitchen skills, behaviours and knowledge, setting them up for a lifelong career in hospitality.
“The Culinary Academy offer has developed over the last few years to provide these comprehensive apprenticeships in partnership with Kendal College. It continues to support young people who want to experience the vibrant hospitality industry and build a career. It is testimony to the hotel group which continues to invest in the future stars of our industry.
“An added extra this year is the opportunity for the students to experience a couple of work placements in one of our sister hotels so they can see how different venues approach the working week.”
English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues is currently recruiting for staff across a range of hospitality industry disciplines. To find out more about available jobs and to apply, visit https://englishlakes.co.uk/jobs/
