The Chefs’ Forum Continuing Professional Development Conference – January 2021

The Chefs’ Forum is proud to announce that due to “exceptional” interest from both colleges and industry, the first CPD (Continuing Professional Development) virtual conference will take place from West London College in January 2021. The event, which is open to college lecturers, will highlight the important areas CPD can deliver to create the blueprint for future curriculum.

Catherine Farinha of The Chefs’ Forum said: “CPD is an unbelievably important topic at the moment. Research indicates that learning new skills increases job satisfaction and the significance of CPD is that every piece of development enhances a chef’s CV and value. CPD can lead to new opportunities, support career progression and provide the confidence to take on more senior roles. This also applies to all other roles and positions throughout hospitality.”

With this in mind we have put together a programme of events where industry leaders and high quality, artisan suppliers can discuss both business and development in a way that colleges can commence the development of innovative and highly relevant curriculum content. The programme will provide a mix of interactive masterclasses, blended with sessions to explore the hottest topics impacting the success of students as they enter the industry. It aims to provide the essential link between suppliers and producers with industry specialists and hospitality educators.

Neil Rippington (chef, educator and author) who is working with the Chefs’ Forum to develop and deliver the conference said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to get the right people together to develop something special for the future of students and the industry they are passionate to thrive in. There are great career opportunities for people entering the industry but the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for sustainable success requires more than the creation of aesthetically pleasing dishes presented on cool and trendy tableware. All of the aspects considered in this CPD conference, including high quality, sustainable supply, good business acumen, a great skills-set and a passion for the industry provide a solid foundation for an exciting future.”

One of the featured sessions will be Masterchef finalist Philli Armitage-Matins, a champion of business education for chefs, headlining a session on business studies for culinary students, alongside the iconic chef and entrepreneur, Chris Galvin.

In support of the session, Chris said “In my experience of employing many young chefs, it is becoming increasingly clear that a critical link is missing with basic financial acumen. Today, inspired young chefs are entering a wonderful industry often on the basis of what a plate of food should look like, or the feel of a restaurant without a simple understanding of how it is afforded.

Modern restaurants have to be brutally, financially efficient to survive and prosper, yet managers /owners have little time to teach these fundamentals. Young chefs that are talented and fortunate move up the ladder, often come crashing down because of an inability to grasp financial acumen.

I am thrilled that this might be taught to young chefs in a modern way so that they at least have a balanced understanding of commercial hospitality business.”

The subjects being discussed so far include:

1. Business studies for culinary students
2. The future challenges for the front of house
3. Urban honey production
4. Chocolate masterclass
5. Ethical and sustainable cooking
6. Blended learning – the new normal
7. Game masterclass
8. Integrating maths & English
9. Exploring flavour profiles
10. Practical curriculum development – industry and education working together
11. Sugar masterclass
12. Demonstrating the versatility of sustainably sourced macadamia

To summarise, Neil emphasised the importance of CPD.

“CPD is essential activity rather than an option or expectation for educators. It provides access to contemporary practice and the opportunity to stay up to date with changing trends and innovation. Through regular CDP, lecturers will enhance their knowledge and skills so that they can pass this on to learners through their teaching and engagement. They will become more effective and naturally generate a deeper interest in the profession, whilst developing a sense of achievement and personal benefit. The networking opportunities CPD presents are so valuable and bring education and the industry much closer together. Lecturers need to embrace the opportunity and not see CPD as a tick-box exercise for HR departments or Ofsted Inspections.”

Signed up speakers and presenters so far include:

• Chris Galvin – Chef Patron, Galvin Restaurants
• Neil Rippington, Education and Industry Link Specialist/Consultant
• Deri Reed, The Ethical Chef
• Curtis Pitts – Curtis Pitts Deer Services
• Biju Joshwa –  Chef Pâtissier, Sheraton Grand, London Park Lane
• Andrew Emmott – Nutcellars
• Paul Da Costa Greaves – Koppert Cress
• Hayden Groves – Chef Consultant and National Chef of the Year 2103
• Philli Armitage-Mattin, 2020 Masterchef Finalist
• Sarah Wyndham Lewis, Honey Sommelier, Bermondsey Street Bees
• Jamie Houghton – Sous Chef, Pastry at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons / UK Pastry Open Winner 2017 / Winner of Best Sugar Display at the Pastry World Cup
• Peter Avis – General Manager at Galvin at Windows and 10 Degrees Bar

CPD Conference over 4 days:

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For more information and to book yourself onto the conference please contact Catherine Farinha catherine@redcherry.uk.com