Four young chef apprentices have been praised for their skills preparing a celebration lunch for invited guests from the hospitality industry.
The event marked the successful pilot of a ‘catering apprenticeship with a difference’ developed by South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) in partnership with Cotswold Chef Rob Rees.
The apprentices, all employed by local businesses, have been studying an innovative and varied day-release programme at the Cotswold Chef Food Centre in Cirencester, under the leadership of chef Rob Rees.
Guests at the two-course lunch included chefs, owners and managers from a range of pubs, restaurants and hotels, including Tudor Arms (Slimbridge), Falcon Inn (Painswick), The Lamb (Eastcombe), Minchinhampton Golf Course, Wheatsheaf Inn (Northleach), Made by Bob (Cirencester), The Inn at Fossebridge, Amberley Inn (Stroud) and Michelin-starred Lords of the Manor (Upper Slaughter).
Rob Rees said employers were surprised to learn about the added content in the apprenticeship programme: "Employers were impressed that our partnership brings the ‘theory’ of cheffing alive! We don’t just do the minimum required for our apprentices, but go the extra mile."
The training programme includes visiting local farms, having real industry experts like butchers and fishmongers enhancing the course, and cooking with locally-sourced, quality ingredients like fresh lobsters, veal and organic vegetables.
Rob Rees, who is on Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Tourism Sector Group, sees untapped opportunities for training in the region’s hospitality sector: "There are thousands of hospitality businesses in Gloucestershire - from the luxury hotels, to schools and hospitals, bed and breakfasts, pubs and restaurants. They could make a huge difference to the workforce by investing in this apprentice programme."
Recruiting now for second intake of apprentices
Recruitment for the second intake of apprentices is starting now, as SGS business training manager, Tom Beasley, explained: “We’re currently advertising three vacancies through the national apprenticeship matching service – all with Gloucestershire businesses – which are a fantastic way for someone to earn and learn, led in their training by Cotswold Chef Rob Rees and his team of professionals. We’ll be recruiting a further nine apprentices during the next few months.”
If you are an interested employer or someone considering an apprenticeship there are places available on the scheme. Contact Stroud College directly on 0800 0094200 or visit
www.coursesforbusinesstraining.co.uk. Or search vacancies at www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Photo: ( l to r) Josh Bovey, Tom Short, Eleanor Thompson, Dean Squirrel (just out of shot!)
