Building on the success of the inaugural awards in 2012, organisers say this year’s event is set to be even bigger with prizes for the individual winners including mini-iPads and a range of career enhancement opportunities at top hospitality venues including The Ritz London, Café Spice Namaste, and Babylon at the Roof Gardens.
In addition, The Mentor of the Year winner also will also be coached by Clare Smyth, the three Michelin-starred chef from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
Chef proprietor of Café Spice Namaste, Mr Todiwala's Kitchen and The Park Cafe in Victoria Park East, and well-known television personality Cyrus Todiwala will offer a rare opportunity for one of the apprentice winners to work under his tutelage should they be a chef.
“It’s great to be able to offer one of the winners the chance to work with us and learn from our extremely talented and experienced team,” he said.
“The Hospitality Guild Apprenticeship Awards stand apart from other awards because they recognise not only the fantastic apprentices in the industry, but the people that make apprenticeships happen. I am thrilled to be able to take part this year.”
Suzy Jackson, executive director of the Hospitality Guild, has built a career working in hospitality and believes that the awards will continue to inspire future generations of talented young people entering the industry.
“The calibre of nominees last year shows that our industry is full of inspiring apprentices and strong support networks of mentors, employers and providers.
“It is only right to be able to continue to help develop the winners through the career enhancement opportunities we have organised – and to have a stellar panel of judges to select the winners of the six categories.”
A judging panel will be represented by key industry figures:
· Cyrus Todiwala, chef proprietor of Café Spice Namaste
· Chris Sheppardson, managing director of EP Magazine
· Iqbal Wahhab, owner of Roast Restaurant
· Suzy Jackson, executive director of the Hospitality Guild
· Peter Avis, general manager at Babylon at the Roof Gardens
· Elizabeth Eyre, editor of the Training Journal
· Darren Goodenough, national vocational learning manager at Mitchells and Butlers and winner of the Partnership of the Year award in 2012
· Simon Numphod, hotel services manager at AA Hotel Services
· Brendan Nolan, apprenticeships development manager at the National Apprenticeship Service
The Hospitality Guild is accepting nominations for its Apprenticeships Awards until October 7th. For more information visit www.hospitalityguild.co.uk/awards