D&D to roll out chef training programme permanently
It will aim to help people forge skilled and successful careers in kitchens, the course will train people who are long-term unemployed, alongside charities such as Crisis and Thames Reach
D&D London has announced it will be permanently rolling out its chef training programme.
In partnership with Electric Mayonnaise, D&D has been working on a long-term commitment to “secure employment for people with little or no previous experience looking to enter kitchens, while giving a much-needed boost to staffing numbers nationwide”.
Helping people forge skilled and successful careers in kitchens, the course will train people who are long-term unemployed, alongside charities such as Crisis and Thames Reach.
Some 50 participants of D&D’s Summer School have gone on to work in back of house, front of house and bar positions across D&D London businesses.
Into Hospitality for Kitchens, the five-day intensive course, will see participants awarded with an Entry 3 Introductory Certificate.
Geared towards engaging learners, creating excitement and nurturing aspirations in hospitality, the course will offer a hands-on immersive experience.
The course will culminate in a “MasterChef-style cook-off” for a table of judges composed of industry experts and D&D employers, offering learners the opportunity to show off the skills they have mastered during the course and receive feedback from the judges.
The final day of the course will see the participants take part in a work experience shift at a chosen D&D restaurant. Successful participants will secure employment in one of D&D’s restaurants.
The second and more advanced option will be the Chef De Partie course, an eight-week deep dive, designed to cover all the basics that an NVQ level 2 in professional cookery would cover.
The course is geared towards commis chefs with at least six months – 1 years’ professional kitchen experience and will build on their general cooking knowledge and skill. Modules include preparing and cooking fish, meat and poultry, sauces, pastry and food hygiene skills. Learners will be accredited with a Laser Award in ‘Extended certificate in Cookery’.
