Hayden Groves to Join Chefs’ Forum Academy

We are pleased to welcome former National Chef of the Year Hayden Groves to the growing roster of chefs who are providing inspiration and education to our Chefs’ Academy.

“We’re really delighted that Hayden is joining us,” said Catherine Farinha. “Not only is he a former winner of the National Chef of the Year but he is a highly experienced chef who has worked at the very top of the industry for many years.

“He will be bringing that experience to The Chefs’ Forum in a number of ways. He will be doing live calls with students, recipe films and creating eye-catching recipe cards for students to add to their portfolios.”

Hayden, who was until recently Executive Chef of leading caterer Baxter Storey, told The Chefs’ Forum:

“I’m excited to be able to pass on some of my experience to the next generation. I’ve had a very interesting career the latter part of it spent in private dining in the City of London. This is an excellent place to work if you want to learn good cooking in a small, intimate kitchen that covers many disciplines.

“My advice for young chefs looking at the industry is that the harder you work the luckier you become. So, work hard right from college onwards. I’ve always used the analogy of two eyes, two ears and one mouth.

“Do a lot of watching, a lot of listening and ask the right questions. Think about what you want to achieve and don’t always think you have to do fine dining. Baxter Storey, for example, are an excellent company that produce food of the highest quality across many sectors. As a young chef you have the choice of where you go on to work – always choose a kitchen where they have your best interests at heart.”

Denise Charles, Head of Curriculum for Service Industries at West London College concluded

“Hayden joining The Chefs’ Forum Academy at West London College is excellent news for our students and a fantastic opportunity for them to work with a leading chef in these difficult times. Due to Covid restrictions, it is unlikely that the students will be able to participate in work experience off campus this year.  The Chefs’ Forum Academy sessions will count as part of their thirty-five hours of work experience required to pass their course and they can achieve this valuable employer engagement in their usual learning environment, adhering to college Covid-safe protocol.”

For students who are interested Hayden has a number of copies of his recent book, Back in the Saddle, available for Chefs’ Forum members. All of which will be signed and personalised.

Back in the Saddle

In 2017, a team of amateur cyclists took on the 3 Tours Challenge, riding the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España to help raise vital money for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

The challenge was to cycle over 10403km in just 63 days, completing each of the famous Grand Tours one day ahead of the professionals – a feat only 39 professional cyclists have ever completed.

The team of riders included Geoff Thomas, former England and Crystal Palace footballer; James Maltin, wealth manager; Doug McKinnon, telecoms entrepreneur, and Hayden Groves, chef and author of Back in the Saddle.

Back in the Saddle features 63 recipes inspired by every stage of their route through Italy, France and Spain: a cycling and food odyssey.

The book features contributions from Professor Charles Craddock CBE, Alastair Storey, Phil Liggett MBE, Laura Kenny CBE and Michel Roux Jr.

Hayden said:

“I have 80 copies for The Chefs’ Forum members I am signing and personalising for a special price of £25 + P&P (the sale of which will continue to go to Cure Leukaemia)” click here to order.