Young people with learning disabilities have teamed up with four top chefs to prepare and serve a fine dining experience for hospitality leaders from across the South West. The dinner took place last Thursday evening at The Castle Hotel, Taunton, one of the most beautiful and historical 4-star hotels in the region.
The event enabled hospitality employers to experience the untapped talent their industry badly needs; a sector that is predicted to create more than 500,000 jobs in the next 5 years.
Workers with learning disabilities form a readily available employment group as one of the many hurdles they face is a far higher than typical unemployment rate – it stands at just 5.8% for paid work. By stark contrast 73% of Foxes’ leavers over the past 3 years (2015 to 2017) entered employment.
A joint partnership between Foxes Academy, (a hospitality and catering training hotel for young people with learning disabilities) and The Castle Hotel, employers were asked to pledge work opportunities and sign up to the Government’s Disability Confident programme.
The Castle’s Head Chef, Liam Finnegan has been an inspiration to the young Foxes’ students, aged between 17 and 25. He has encouraged them by offering work experience placements and taken on a Commis Chef with learning disabilities who trained in the hotel’s kitchen to NVQ Level 2 and was awarded ‘Outstanding Individual’ as part of Adult Learners’ Week.
The starter was prepared under the watchful eye of Philip Corrick, Executive Chef and Howard Bisset, Head Chef both with The RAC Club, Liam worked with the students to cook the main course and Werner Hartholt, Resort Development Chef at Butlins supported them to prepare dessert.
All Chefs kindly donated their time and ingredients to raise awareness with their peers about the economic and cultural benefits of employing a diverse team. Welcome drinks were generously provided by Exmoor’s Wicked Wolf Gin and Quantock Brewery.
Sarah Newton, Minister for Disabled People, Health and WorkMinister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton, said: “We want to see one million more disabled people in work by 2027, and it’s crucial that the hospitality industry is not missing out on the skills, talents and personal qualities disabled people can bring to the workplace. “This event goes to show that there is a huge pool of talent out there, and I urge all employers across the industry and beyond to help ensure the opportunities are there for everyone to reach their full potential.”
Hospitality & Catering News would like to congratulate all of the ‘Foxes’ that took part, Sarah Newton and the Government’s Disability Confident programme, the chefs… Liam Finnegan, Philip Corrick, Werner Hartholt and Hoard Bisset. The Castle Hotel, Taunton, Exmoor’s Wicked Wolf Gin and Quantock Brewery and of course the whole team at The Foxes Academy.
We report all too often on the people and skills shortages in our industry, so we are delighted to report on the work done by The Foxes Academy and their partners. The training of young people with learning disabilities to prepare for and enter a career in hospitality and catering is much needed.