Junior Chef's Academy graduate at the next level
The first group of students to complete the Junior Chefs’ Academy Next Level programme graduated from South West College on Saturday 19th March. The junior chefs cooked in full whites in a professional kitchen preparing a special lunch for family and friends at the College’s Dungannon Campus.
The Junior Chefs’ Academy Next Level programme is an opportunity for young people aged 12-16 years who have already completed the foundation Junior Chef Academy course to undertake a progression course to build on their skills and repertoire of dishes.
It is organised by People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism and Compass Group UK and Ireland, the worldwide contract catering company.
Congratulating the young chefs on their enthusiasm and continued success, Rose McMahon, Curriculum Manager for Professional Services at South West College, said:
“The Next Level Junior Chefs’ Academy course is designed to take junior chef graduates a step closer to a career as a chef as it continues the path to professional training. Having wet the appetite of young people with the foundation course, it is important to encourage their enthusiasm by providing this further tier in the learning programme. Inspiring future chef talent to join our growing and dynamic industry is key to Northern Ireland achieving its tourism potential.”
The eleven graduates from local schools in the Cookstown, Dungannon and Omagh areas attended South West College in Dungannon and were presented with medals and certificates by their tutors, Darren Pitts and Martina Meenagh.
Over a 10 week period on Saturday mornings, the young people learned about basic cookery and nutrition; hygiene; health and safety; teamworking; communication and healthy eating.
The Next Level programme is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning. The Junior Chefs’ Academy programme is funded by Compass Group UK and Ireland, is industry-led and supported by the Institute of Hospitality, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Pubs of Ulster, NICO the Northern Ireland Culinary Organisation and City & Guilds.
