Westminster Kingsway College Young Chef Academy students benefit from support by The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation

Westminster Kingsway College young chef academy students are amongst 400 young people supported by The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation to complete the Young Chef Academy at the College and at the University of West London. The year 10 and 11 students have participated in the Young Chefs Academy.

The Young Chefs Academy at Westminster Kingsway College has been the starting point for many of our students and graduates. This is a Saturday cookery course for 13 to 15 year olds where students learn key skills and develop their ideas. Many students who complete the Young Chef Academy apply for the Professional Chef Diploma or other Hospitality courses at Westminster Kingsway College. The Young Chef Academies always finish with a graduation lunch cooked by the students and attended by parents, family and supporters.

Since the Geoffrey Harrison Foundation began supporting the academies in January 2012 a total of 34 of the 10 week Saturday morning courses have been held. Geoffrey Harrison said: “All of us at the Foundation are immensely proud to be able to support the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College. Attracting new talent into the catering and hospitality industry is vital to its continued growth and the academy is doing just that by giving young people a taste of what the industry has to offer, while teaching them real, applicable skills they can use to build a career.”

Gary Hunter, Head of Faculty for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College said: “We are so appreciative of the support from The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation for our Young Chef Academy students.  These ten week courses are delivered throughout the academic year on Saturdays by our dedicated lecturers, and the students prepare and serve at their graduation lunch to their family as a celebration event. Many of the young chefs have gone onto our Professional Chef Diploma and Chef Apprenticeship programmes. Every graduation is supported by a representative from The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation and we value this partnership and hands-on approach that they undertake. To play a significant role in shaping the younger generation’s dream and future is a great honour.”

Photo caption: The latest class to graduate on the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College, pictured with their chef instructor (back row, centre), Foundation Trustee Richard Harrison (back row, right) and Willy Bauer OBE, Chairman of AB Hotels (seated), who was there to support his grandson (standing next to him).

The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation advance education and learning in the United Kingdom in connection with the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industries and to help young people to develop their capabilities and grow to maturity as individuals and as members of society. Visit www.geoffreyharrisonfoundation.org.uk for further information.

Westminster Kingsway College has an excellent reputation within the hospitality and catering industry and famous former students include Jamie Oliver. The College offers a unique opportunity to study in central London for vocational qualifications that are tailored direct to employment opportunities. Westminster Kingsway College is recognised as one of the leading providers of education and training in the UK. For further information about the wide range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses at Westminster Kingsway College, please visit www.westking.ac.uk.

For further information about Westminster Kingsway College please contact jeff.hyland@westking.ac.uk or call 020 7963 4115.