First Applicants Taste Success:Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College
(Photo: Michael Caines, right, welcomes prosepective Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College students)
The very first chef and front of house hopefuls have been selected for the inaugural year of the Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College, starting this September.
During a rigorous two-day process, 24 students underwent a series of practical tasks and interviews from leading industry figures to test their ability both in the kitchen and in front of house roles.
Michael Caines and his team oversaw the tasks that included knife skills, ingredient identification, taste tests and informal interviews before 19 students were invited back on day two to face a panel of food and drink experts in a Dragon's Den style interview process. Just 16 successful students were then selected based on overall merit across both days.
Last week also saw high profile hospitality entrepreneurs and business people gather at ABode Hotel in Exeter to sign up for involvement in the new Academy. This included Michelin Starred chefs Simon Hulstone of The Elephant and Mark Dodson of the Mason's Arms, BBC Masterchef Mat Follas of The Wild Garlic in Beaminster, Dorset, while Nathan Outlaw and the Tanner Brothers have also pledged their support. Other businesses included butcher Lloyd Maunder, leading British chef knife and cutlery designer Robert Welch, with hotels such as Combe House, Bath Priory and Lewtrenchard Manor all indicating interest.
Designed to nurture the future generation of talented UK restaurateurs, chefs and food service personnel, the selection process will see the 16 students commence the two year full time course from September 2011. These students will be given the opportunity to work their way up the flagship City & Guilds Level 3 Diplomas in Advanced Professional Cookery or Food and Beverage Service Supervision. They will also take part in further courses beyond the initial two years, potentially leading to a Level 4 City & Guilds qualification.
In year two, students can expect to enter industry competitions, visit leading trade shows and experience work in the country's leading hotels and restaurants including Gidleigh Park. This represents another crucial element of the Academy, in that by developing local students' skill levels and standards, high quality South West establishments can benefit from the pool of talent right on their doorstep.
Michael Caines MBE confirmed, "Our industry deserves to be the first choice any young people wanting a varied and exciting career. The Academy will therefore help us inspire those wanting to enter the industry, whether front of house or to work in the kitchen, to go on to great things and make a lifelong career out of it, in turn engendering excellence wherever they go. Many businesses across the country have already signed up as partners and it's by working with them that we will deliver excellence, ensuring our students leave the Academy as highly skilled individuals capable of representing the very best our industry offers. We are therefore urging any business interested to get involved."
Designing vocational qualifications delivered by colleges, training providers and employers, City & Guilds are working closely with Michael and Exeter College to develop the best combination of qualifications and units to underpin the Academy's training.
Those businesses and students interested in the Academy should visit the website or email michaelcainesacademy@exe-coll.ac.uk call 01392 205420.
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