Catering and hotel support services company Entier launches apprenticeship competition

This is the first apprenticeship competition of its kind designed by a local catering and support services company and is being backed by the Scottish Government's business to education programme. It will be judged by renowned foodie and former chairman and fellow of Masterchefs Great Britain George McIvor, together with Entier's managing director Peter Bruce and the company's executive development chef Mark Donovan. The Fresh Olives competition format has recently been rolled out to the four schools, including Bucksburn Academy, Dyce Academy, Hazlehead Academy, and St Machar Academy. An introductory session to the competition has already taken place and in November the competitors will be invited to attend a practical assessment based around planning and timing; this will be followed by a number of practical cooking assessments before the numbers are reduced to eight in April 2011 where a final cook off will help determine the apprenticeship Fresh Olives winners. Peter Bruce: "I am looking for the most talented people to join the business. Whilst we may only be two years old we have a growing and dynamic workforce of 250 people. As an award winning business we have great ambitions and to meet those we have to ensure that we recruit the best people. Commenting on his own career path, Bruce said: "At the age of 21 I was an offshore chef manager. This was a great personal achievement at such a young age and I believe that with the right attitude, determination and passion, we will be able to find those talented, young individuals who can accomplish the same achievements and perhaps more. I have great hopes for the individuals taking part and I'll be very excited to find and then support the careers of Entier's future managers." Winners will enjoy a three year apprenticeship programme working across the Entier business with a permanent salaried position once the apprenticeship programme is successfully completed.