Celebrating Local Food At Junior Chefs' Academy

Fresh and flavourful local produce was celebrated at a masterclass and cookery competition for newly qualified Junior Chefs' Academy graduates last month, organised by People 1st.

Danny Millar, chef director of Balloo House, Killinchy and former Northern Ireland winner of the Great British Menu demonstrated how to cook spring lamb with hesby cabbage and buttermilk pannacotta at CAFRE's Greenmount campus, Antrim.

A thrilling cook-off involving teams from the six regional colleges saw them cook chargrilled pork cutlets with turnip, colcannon, potato cake and pan gravy in just 30 minutes under the watchful eyes of judges, Danny Millar and Zara Dempsey of Compass Group.

The Junior Chefs' Academy was introduced to Northern Ireland in February 2009 by People 1st, along with Compass Group UK and Ireland. It aims to address a skills shortage following research with the sector in Northern Ireland and is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning as part of the Future Skills Action Plan for Hospitality and Tourism.

Stressing the value of the programme to industry Danny Millar said: “Our business is built on providing the highest standards to our customers and we need to attract young people with a passion for food and service, who are keen to learn. Junior Chefs' Academy is an excellent introduction to cooking as a career.”

The programme is delivered across all six regional colleges and since its launch, just under 300 young people aged 12 to 16 have been given a valuable insight into the industry.

Commenting on the industry support for the programme, Roisin McKee from People 1st said: “The industry is firmly behind Junior Chefs' Academy and local chefs take part in its delivery enthusing and inspiring young people. Our aim is to encourage them to consider professional cookery courses as the next step in their career path.

“We're delighted that the programme has just won a prestigious Janus Award for Training Initiative of the Year from the Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland.”

A new series of Junior Chefs' Academy programmes begins in September in each of the regional colleges. For more information, contact roisin.mckee@people1st.co.uk