The chefs spent the last year ‘perfecting’ their basic kitchen skills including sauces, starters, mains and desserts through monthly sessions. Study trips to Brixham Fish Market and a micro herb garden were also part of the programme.
For the first time people from other parts of the business such as the kitchen porters were able to complete an apprenticeship as part of the programme.
Matt Jennings, learning and development business partner at Elior UK, said: “It’s been a really comprehensive learning experience for these future chefs. While food plays a central role in Chef School, we also train them on service and the business basics needed in the kitchen.
“It doesn’t end today at graduation – there’s a comprehensive development programme and we’re committed to helping the graduates meet their career aspirations.”
Over the last five years 77 chefs have graduated from the Chef School and two-thirds have taken up full-time chef positions. To celebrate their graduation, the 24 chefs showed off what they had learned and cooked for Elior clients and guests.
The lunch menu included: crab tortellini with seafood bisque and micro garlic chive, brined roasted on the crown chicken breast and stuffed leg on wilted kale with cocotte potato, butternut squash and heritage carrots finished with chicken jus and a full table of desserts.