The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) have been working together on behalf of their members to find solutions to tackle the growing concern of chef shortage issues that operators face as the growth in eating out continues to rise – and to highlight the huge opportunities for young people in the sector.
“With the eating out market growing at around 2.8%, and further growth expected throughout 2015, we need to take action to attract and train young chefs who can develop their skills as our sector continues to be at the forefront of this trend,” said Brigid Simmons, Chief Executive, BBPA.
BBPA video insights
The BBPA has created a sharp, engaging video to inspire young people to pursue a pub chef career. The film, a snapshot of the fast-paced arena of the pub kitchen, will be promoted around schools, colleges, and universities to help raise awareness of the opportunities and aid in recruiting the most promising candidates into the industry.
The chef role within the pub and bar sector has long been overlooked as a career option, but with the popularity of programmes like the Great British Bake Off, and the fame of figures who have pub connections like Tom Kerridge and Jamie Oliver, cooking is becoming a viable and respectable vocation. The video capitalises on this rising popularity and mirrors the energy and challenges of life interests with those that arise in a kitchen environment.
The video features footage from pub kitchens, as well as face-to-face interviews with young chefs from across the country, and provides a real insight into the life of a pub chef.
BII Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification
At the same time the British Institute of Innkeeping has responded to the industry need for qualified kitchen staff by launching a Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification in pub chef skills and operations. The qualification guarantees a curriculum of key skills are covered and assessed and formalises on the job training, thereby standardising skills across the industry.
The apprenticeship covers key topics including food safety, teamwork, conflict resolution, the basics and principles of a comprehensive range of dish preparation, cooking theory, stock control and licensed hospitality operations.
“The new qualification is equally suited to pubs and bars already offering apprenticeships as well as those looking to start recruiting apprentices,” said BII Chief Executive Tim Hulme, “The qualification combined with the release of the film will highlight the career and learning opportunities to help stem the pub chef skills shortage.”
Pub & Bar Careers website
In tandem, the Perceptions Group showcased the new Pub & Bar Careers website due to go live later this year, as well as highlighting the new blog-site http://pubchefpassion.com where you can hear what its like to work in the kitchen direct from young chefs.
More personal stories on the wider range of careers on offer can be found on the http://pubandbarcareers.com blogsite which also details information to be found in the new website including: snapshots of aspirational young people progressing their careers; employer information; entry routes into the industry; careers mapping; training and qualification information and clear, concise information regarding the various types of business operation as well as the social responsibility initiatives that help keep pubs a safe place to work and visit.
“With the pub and bar sector worth around £18 billion* to the economy and 15 million people visiting pubs each week we are a hugely important industry. We need to attract, nurture and provide a credible pipeline for talent to encourage more people to take a career in this sector seriously,” said Perceptions Group Vice-Chairman Anthony Pender.
“We need to demonstrate to parents, teachers, careers advisors and the like that we are not an industry of pocket money jobs but one of opportunity, skill and a triumph of meritocracy.
The three organisations showcased their initiatives yesterday, Monday 16 February, at The Happenstance bar and restaurant.
You can view the chef film here