Exclusive Hotels and Venues open applications for academy programme

Exclusive Hotels and Venues, the luxury British country house hotel group, has opened applications for junior chefs to join its Exclusive Chefs’ Academy as part of a two-year programme that commences in July 2014. 

In securing their place in the academy, nine successful chefs will be given a life-changing opportunity to work alongside Exclusive Hotels and Venues’ brigade of award-winning chefs including Head Chef at Camellia, South Lodge and current MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards, two-Michelin-starred Head Chef Michael Wignall at The Latymer at Pennyhill Park in Surrey, and Exclusive Hotels and Venues Executive Chef of 27 years, Andy Mackenzie who is heading up the programme.

The Academy, open to Commis Chefs with at least one year’s experience, will see the recruits undertaking an intensive full-time programme to develop them to Chef de Partie level. The programme will combine on-the-job training in the Exclusive Hotels and Venues restaurant and banqueting kitchens as well as a series of off-site supplier visits, supervisory skills workshops, team challenges and master classes designed to fine tune cooking skills and pave the way for a life-long successful career. 

Chefs securing a place in the Academy will be rewarded with a competitive full-time salary and presented with their own set of chef’s knives, a full uniform of chef whites, branded aprons and appropriate kitchen safety shoes.  As part of the Exclusive Hotels and Venues group, the chefs will also enjoy complimentary meals during working hours as well as discounts on accommodation and food and beverage across the group of six luxury hotels and venues in the South East.

Andy Mackenzie commented, “I am very excited to be opening up the application process for our Exclusive Chefs’ Academy.  As a group of celebrated hotels and restaurants that puts people at the heart of its business, we have worked extremely hard to create a comprehensive programme that will both develop and reward our talented new recruits.  We’re looking for spirited and motivated chefs who are up for the challenge - it’s not going to be a walk in the park - and we’re confident the academy will attract some great talent!”

Each candidate successfully completing the full two-year programme will be awarded the Exclusive Chefs’ Academy Diploma.

Candidates can apply online now at www.exclusivehotels.co.uk/careers