Students encouraged to take up culinary careers with academy

A NATIONAL catering provider has been working with Portsmouth’s top young culinary whizz-kids to inspire the next generation of professional caterers.
Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy
Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy

The Junior Chef Academy, run by Compass Group UK & Ireland in partnership with Highbury College, is a free after-school programme designed to teach local 14 to 16-year-olds cookery skills, food hygiene, health and nutrition and inspire them to become catering apprentices.

Recent graduates celebrated finishing the 10-week programme with artisan pizzas and mocktails at Highbury College’s Cosham campus.

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Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Emily Swan. Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Emily Swan.
Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Emily Swan.
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Bob Brown, from Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: ‘The students had a really good 10 weeks with us and I hope it’s given them an appetite to pursue a career in catering, especially within Compass and the diverse culinary opportunities and experiences we can offer.’

Held in colleges throughout the UK, the initiative has already helped 3,000 teenagers gradate into chef positions since 2003.

One graduate Tilly Yeats, from Oaklands Catholic School, said: ‘My favourite part about the course was being able to learn new skills you wouldn’t usually learn at school.

‘I think it was useful because if you want to become a chef when you’re older, you got a sense of what it’s like in the workplace.

Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Millie Sole. Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Millie Sole.
Highbury College students have been taking part in a 10 week culinary Junior Chef Academy. Pictured Millie Sole.
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‘I’d definitely recommend this if you want to learn new skills and make new friends.’

Plans are already under way for next year’s Junior Chef Academy, which is set to start in January.

Ross Collins, also from Oaklands Catholic School, said: ‘I found that coming on this course helped to develop my cooking skills, and I’ve noticed my knife skills have dramatically improved.

‘Our tutors, Paula and Leanne have been really good from beginning to end. They helped us along the way and gave us tips on what to do.’

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Craig Mincher, director of employer and commercial services at Highbury College said: ‘We’re very proud to have supported student chefs’ first steps in the culinary industry. It’s really important the students could gain experience in our professional kitchens, especially if they are considering a career in the culinary arts.’

He also thanked sponsors Harvest Fine Foods, Nisbets, Lockhart Catering Equipment, John Sheppard Butchers and Major Stocks.

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