HIT TRAINING APPRENTICESHIPS HELP CRYSTAL LAND HER DREAM JOB AT Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Teenage hospitality apprentice Crystal Old’s ‘amazing’ commitment to her training and her determination to succeed has helped her to land her dream job at the world renowned Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford.

The nineteen year-old secured the role following the successful completion of her Professional Cookery Advanced Apprenticeship with national hospitality training provider, HIT Training, which she undertook at the Yalbury Cottage Hotel & Restaurant in Dorchester.

Jamie Jones, who owns the Yalbury with wife, Ariane, was impressed by Crystal’s commitment to her training and her progress. He says, “Crystal has achieved so much in a short space of time. Despite being so young, she’s got a smart head on her shoulders and she’s shown incredible determination to succeed. We’re glad to have had the chance to support Crystal through the early part of her career and are absolutely thrilled that she has secured a role at such a well-respected 2 Michelin-starred restaurant!”

Crystal, who was also named HIT Training’s Apprentice of the Year for the South of England in 2014 and has recently been named as a finalist in the 2015 Adult Learners’ Week Awards, now has the opportunity to take the skills she learned during her training and put them into practise in her new role as a Second Commis Chef in the pastry department at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

She says, “I’m so pleased I’ve found a career that brings out the best in me. My passion for creating great food is growing all the time and the new skills I developed during my apprenticeship have given me more confidence in my own cooking abilities. With HIT’s help I’ve learned so much and enhanced my knowledge and abilities and I feel that securing the role at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a huge step towards achieving my dreams.”

Philip Newman Hall, Director and General Manager, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons says: “Le Manoir has always put teaching and passing on experience high on the agenda and we are always pleased when we welcome a new, eager and passionate individual to the team. Raymond Blanc, OBE, who has guided Le Manoir through over 30 years of quintessential excellence, takes the pursuit of perfection very seriously and we all know how important fresh ideas and new talent is to keep this quest running at optimum levels. We very much look forward to welcoming Crystal to the team and are sure that she will have a bright and successful future, guided by our wonderful staff at Le Manoir.”

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