New training course set to tackle skilled chef shortage in Newcastle

Following the boom in the restaurant industry in the North East, a new training programme is being introduced in Newcastle to help combat the impending skilled chef shortage.

To tackle the issue, NE1 - a business improvement company - has teamed up with three of the city's top restaurants, Fat Buddha, Babucho and 21 Group and Newcastle College’s Lifestyle Academy to create a chef’s fast-track training course.

With over 26 new restaurants set to open in the region this year alone, the eight week intensive course aims to attract and train new students as well as recruit a team of highly skilled staff.

Stephen Patterson, Director of Communications at NE1 Ltd, explained: “The restaurant industry has been the number one growth sector in Newcastle over the past five years, helped by NE1’s Alive after Five and Restaurant Week initiatives that have boosted visitor numbers into the city and its restaurants in the early evening. This has led to an explosion in restaurant numbers and a demand for even greater numbers of staff.

“The growth in the restaurant industry in Newcastle is great news for the city, but staffing these new venues with good quality staff can be difficult.  We want to offer our help to generate interest and enthusiasm in a career in hospitality and catering and create opportunities for young people to work directly with some of the city’s leading restaurants."

The traineeship will initially cater for fourteen 16 – 24 years olds resulting in an NVQ Level 1 qualification in Hospitality with hopes it will lead directly to a job or an Apprenticeship.

Bob Senior, Owner and MD of Fat Buddha restaurant said: “We pride ourselves on our staff and we invest heavily in attracting and retaining the best – but it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract young people into the industry. We wanted to run an on-the-job taster course that gives young people the chance to experience first hand what it is like to work in a fast-paced restaurant environment and hope that it will encourage them and others to consider a rewarding career in the industry.”

A launch event is being held at Fat Buddha restaurant on Tuesday, 26 January at 5pm for prospective students to meet staff and get more details.

Further information, including how to apply, is available from Andy Brown, Newcastle College Hospitality Section Manager, Tel: 0191 200 4645.

>>> Read about the chef shortage here