The Chefs’ Forum Launches in the South East!
Top Kent Chefs attended a sunny launch of The Chefs’ Forum at East Kent College in Broadstairs last Monday, 17th June.
It is a very exciting time to be involved in the catering and hospitality industry in Kent. The ongoing success of The Chefs’ Forum in the South West meant that Kentish chefs welcomed the launch of their own regional chapter of the prestigious and popular networking group for chefs, suppliers and local catering colleges.
Headed up by local food heroes 3 AA Rosette Chef Charlie Lakin (The Marquis at Alkham) and Rob Alsworth (East Kent College), and Founder Catherine Farinha, The Chefs’ Forum aims to harness the great culinary talent and knowledge in the area as well as offering excellent networking opportunities to young student chefs.
Rob Allsworth, Chef Lecturer stated,
“I was delighted to host the launch of The Chefs’ Forum here at the College and am really excited about the future. The feedback received from chefs who attended the event as well as students was all extremely positive and we are all really looking forward to our next event which will take place in the Summer”.
The project is expanding after a hugely successful launch in Bristol in 2011 where channels of communication were opened up between the catering industry, education and suppliers – a need that was established by food marketing consultant Catherine Farinha in talking to education, industry and trade.
The Forum runs all year and is punctuated by quarterly networking events from the Cotswolds to Cornwall and now Kent.
The Chefs’ Forum events will be held at local venues designed to showcase the best elements of the industry: From top end hotels and restaurants to meat and vegetable farms and College training restaurants.
Great British Menu Chef Charlie Lakin does a great deal of mentoring work with budding chefs at the College and says that he is
“Really happy to be involved in any initiative which enhances learning. The Chefs’ Forum enthuses and motivates young people to join the hospitality industry as a career choice which is fantastic!”
Students at the College performed demos for the guest chefs and executed each dish with the utmost in professionalism.
Throughout the year, The Forum will serve as a knowledge bank to provide information on everyday professional needs from recruitment to produce and equipment. It will also enlist talented young apprentices from the local catering colleges into member restaurants and provide students with a unique opportunity to see how the industry works. Each gathering will host interesting and exciting speakers, demonstrations and quality local producers. Quality suppliers will be invited to showcase their wares which will help support the use of their products in Kent’s leading restaurants.
East Kent College is excited to be involved as means that their gifted young catering students are able to mingle with top chefs from the area and understand more about how the industry works as well as having the opportunity to secure apprenticeships and work experience that previously took more effort to organise.
If you think you or your business could benefit from being involved in The Chefs’ Forum please email catherine@redcherry.uk.com.
