A Recipe for Success With the launch of the new HIT Chef Academy
HIT Training, the leading specialist training and apprenticeship provider for the hospitality sector, has today (4th November) unveiled a brand new initiative – the HIT Chef Academy. The launch was held at Hospitality House, London, where the great and good of the sector joined together to celebrate the start of the dynamic Academy.
The HIT Chef Academy is an innovative new training programme for future culinary stars and aims to meet the demand for highly skilled chefs in the hospitality industry, which is a result of the growth the sector has experienced in the last few years.
Headed by Paul Mannering, Academy Principal, and run by 20 expert HIT Chef Trainers, the new programme brings together the very best in culinary excellence to provide the apprentices with the highest quality training, development and learning in the industry.
Having commenced at 12pm, the launch saw guests enjoy a delicious four course lunch, as well as canapés and petit fours. The culinary spread was prepared by 10 of HIT’s Trainer-Assessors, each accompanied by one of their apprentices, including Karlis Pumpurins, who became the first apprentice ever to have his recipe featured in the prestigious ‘Great British Cookbook’ – set to hit bookstores in 2016.
The over-arching goal of the HIT Chef Academy is to challenge and stretch the apprentices, supporting them to raise their core skills and confidence through the dynamic syllabus, including subjects such as knife skills, stocks, cold presentation, patisserie, kitchen management, flavour profiles and team work. In addition to this, the apprentices will benefit from masterclasses, supplier visits and demonstrations from leading industry professionals, such as Paul Wayne Gregory, the expert chocolatier.
Speaking about the launch, Paul Mannering, HIT Chef Academy Principal, comments: “Currently the hospitality sector is now one of the fastest growing industries in the UK with job numbers rising to just under 5%, compared to the 1.9% of the overall jobs market. It is an exciting time for the industry, which is gaining a global reputation for its innovative cooking and fine dining experiences.
“This growth is attracting more and more young adults who are looking to develop a career in hospitality. By launching the HIT Chef Academy we want to offer these learners the opportunity to gain the tools needed to enter this profession and hope to provide a solution to the chef shortage employers are facing.”
Crystal Old, former HIT Apprentice, now Second Commis Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, comments on her training experience: “The experience I’ve gained in the catering world so far has been really eye-opening and has encouraged me to work even harder as there are so many talented chefs out there. By doing an apprenticeship I’ve found a career that suits my skills and brings out the best in me. My passion for creating great food is growing all the time and the new skills I’ve learned have given me more confidence in my own cooking abilities”
With over 1,600 cookery apprentices across the country, HIT Training is leading the way for apprenticeships within the hospitality industry and with initiatives like the HIT Chef Academy, the company aims to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships, not just for school leavers, but for those looking for a route to upgrade their skills and further their career.
For more information, please visit: www.hittraining.co.uk./chefacademy
