By Angela Green:
Chef News is sponsored by Kitchen Porters Club
Six recruits are now beginning their catering careers at Archerfield’s fledgling Chef Academy, under the watchful eye of Executive Chef and Culinary Director, Joe Queen, while a further two newcomers are also beginning their hospitality apprenticeships.
2023 marks the second year of the Archerfield Young Chefs Certificate of Excellence Award, a two year apprenticeship leading to a position at one of parent company Caledonian Heritable’s venues. The six trainees from 2022 are now in their second year of the programme, with the latest six set to join them in the state-of-the-art training kitchen facility.
The twelve individuals are gaining ‘real time’ experience on the East Lothian estate, working in various environments on live events, from banqueting to barbeques, alongside receiving expert teaching and guidance from Queen, a former president of the Federation of Chefs Scotland, and his team.
“Not only are we training some talented youngsters within one of Scotland’s leading hospitality destinations,” says Executive Chef and Culinary Director, Joe Queen, “we’re guaranteeing the opportunity of a permanent position at the end of the apprenticeship. This programme is also a great way of building relationships and supporting the wider East Lothian community.”
The Chef Academy is just one of the apprenticeship initiatives launched by Archerfield in recent times, responding to the need for highly trained kitchen and front-of-house professionals.
The Archerfield Modern Apprenticeship, in partnership with Edinburgh College, runs initially from August 2023 to January 2024.
The two selected apprentices will combine working at Archerfield Estate within the front of house team with studying at Edinburgh College’s Milton Campus. This Modern Apprenticeship leads to a National Progression Award (NPA) in Hospitality at SCQF level 5, with the opportunity to progress to SCQF level 6 in Semester 2 which runs from January – June 2024.
The apprentices will learn about all aspects of hospitality, working on events such as weddings and private parties at the prestigious Archerfield House and Waterfront venues as well as the Clubhouse bar and restaurant.
The Young Chefs Certificate of Excellent Award are devised and delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College and sponsored by Billy McNeill, Luxury Textiles and Aaroc Solutions.
Chef News is sponsored by Kitchen Porters Club