This week, 33 chefs celebrated their graduation from BaxterStorey’s award-winning Chef Academy. Renowned chefs Tom Kerridge, Alyn Williams and John Campbell attended a special reception in central London to mark the occasion.
This year’s graduates were awarded a variety of specialist qualifications including Culinary Arts, Chef Diploma and Chef Certificate. Over 100 people attended the event to recognise the chefs’ achievements.
Rik Razza, head of chef development at BaxterStorey, said: “I believe that the academy has had its most successful year yet. The quality of what is now being produced and the students’ progression has been significant. I would also like to acknowledge and thank HIT (Hospitality Industry Training) for the role that they have played at assessment level.”
Graham Eveleigh, head of skills and development, said: “This celebration is a great way to acknowledge the young, fresh talent we are proud to have at BaxterStorey and highlight our chefs’ commitment to creating innovative menus with the freshest, locally sourced produce.”
BaxterStorey’s Chef Academy offers unique learning opportunities from visiting food markets, fisheries and suppliers to understanding the financial and management aspects of being a chef. Trainee chefs also get the chance to put their skills into practice with a week’s tuition with one of BaxterStorey’s Chef Consultants including John Campbell, Nigel Haworth, Mark Hix and Tom Kitchin.
At the graduation ceremony, individual chefs were praised for their outstanding achievement across six categories including; chef of the year, most improved, best assignment average, most effective trainer, spirit of the trainer and spirit of the academy.
2016 winners
Chef of the year
Level One – Charlotte Axe, Syngenta
Level Two – Mark Wright, BUPA Brighton
Level Three – Nina Mash, King & Wood Mallesons
Most improved
Level One – Karlis Pimpurins, TFL Palestra
Level Two – Paulino Ison Esguerra, Carphone Warehouse
Best Assignment Average
Level Three – Steve Wren, Said Business School
Most effective trainer
Level One – Sam Busby, EMA
Level Two – Andrew Frost, Invesco Perpetual, Henley on Thames
Spirit of the trainer award
Jason Thompson, BUPA Brighton
Spirit of the academy
Nina Mash, King & Wood Mallesons