Local Junior Chefs’ Academy Celebrates Graduation |
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Sixteen young chefs celebrated their graduation from the Junior Chefs’ Academy programme at Northern Regional College recently. People 1st the sector skills council for the hospitality and tourism industry has partnered with Compass Group UK and Ireland, part of the worlds largest catering company to build the skills of future young chefs through the Junior Chefs’ Academy. The programme is currently funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and is an industry led initiative supported locally by The Institute of Hospitality, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Safefood and City and Guilds. The sixteen graduates aged 12 to 16, from local schools all attended NRC College’s Ballymoney Campus and were presented with medals and certificates by guest of honour and one of the sponsors Jim Torrence, MD of Aghadowey Foods Services and Junior Chefs’ NRC Tutor , Jane McAuley. Congratulating all young Junior Chefs graduating from the six regional colleges Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said: “I want to commend People 1st on the success of the Junior Chefs’ Academy. The Hospitality Sector is very important to the economy of Northern Ireland and the Junior Chefs’ Academy is part of the Departmental Future Skills Action Plan. “I recently had the privilege of experiencing the success of Junior Chefs’ Academy by sampling food cooked by 12 young people from the programme. “I understand that several students from Junior Chefs’ Academy have already progressed to further education to pursue their careers in the industry and I wish them well. “I am therefore particularly pleased to learn that Compass has agreed to sponsor the Junior Chefs’ Academy for a further 2 years from June 2010. This demonstrates a huge endorsement and commitment from the private sector for this very successful initiative. “I wish everyone associated with the programme every success for the future.” Trevor Neilands, NR Director and Chief Executive thanked parents and teachers for supporting the initiative. “It’s been a wonderful few weeks where all of the young people have demonstrated their hard work and enthusiasm to the programme. I would like to extend my thanks to DEL and to the funders and sponsors for their support and for encouraging young graduates to consider professional catering courses which will hopefully lead to a successful career in the local hospitality industry.” |
Over a 10 week period, on Saturday mornings the young boys and girls learned about basic cookery, whilst creating fresh dishes and gained knowledge on nutrition, hygiene, health and safety, team work, communication skills and gained an appreciation for real food including healthy eating. Throughout this period the students also got the opportunity to learn from industry professional celebrity Paula McIntyre chef, writer and broadcaster. All this hard work culminated in a graduation event when the young people cooked a special lunch for family, friends and key sponsors at NRC Ballymoney Campus. The aim of the programme, pioneered in England for seven years by Compass, is to encourage more young people to consider a career as a chef. Research with local employers carried out by People 1st identified a lack of technically skilled chefs as a barrier to filling vacancies and effective performance. The Junior Chefs’ Academy
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