Lancaster hotel signs up new recruit for culinary academy training

A 16-year-old school leaver has landed her first job at a Lancaster hotel, thanks to an ‘earn-as-you-learn’ training programme to become a chef.

Lancaster House Hotel has recruited Rubi from Preston to join a cohort of four other teenagers on the English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues Culinary Academy.

The training programme offers Rubi an apprenticeship to attain Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie qualifications, as well as hands on, practical experience in a busy hotel kitchen.

Delivered in partnership with Kendal College, the hotel group’s Culinary Academy was established in 2017.  Its fully accredited courses allow the students to hone chef skills whilst earning a wage with the hotel group across its venues in the Lake District and North Lancashire.

Rubi is thrilled to be gaining a footing on the first rung of the career ladder with a job working in her home county as she commences her hospitality career at Lancaster House Hotel.

“I saw the opportunity to apply for this role via the government apprenticeship website where English Lakes Hotels had advertised culinary academy positions,” explains Rubi. 

“I was so keen to get the job that I ended up applying twice, because I also filled in the
application on the hotel group’s website too to try and get myself recognised!”

Daniel Winstanley from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues adds: “Under the guidance of our fantastic culinary teams and experienced head chefs, the new apprentices will learn the fundamentals of kitchen skills, behaviours and knowledge, setting them up for a lifelong career in hospitality.

“The Culinary Academy offer has developed over the last few years to provide these comprehensive apprenticeships in partnership with Kendal College.  It continues to support young people who want to experience the vibrant hospitality industry and build a career. It is testimony to the hotel group which continues to invest in the future stars of our industry.

“An added extra this year is the opportunity for the students to experience a couple of work placements in one of our sister hotels so they can see how different venues approach the working week.”