The scheme will be launched at an event on 4th November 2015 and aims to meet the demand for highly skilled chefs, as a result of the growth in fine dining experiences in the UK in the last two decades.

Headed by Paul Mannering, academy principal, and run by 20 HIT chef trainers, the new training programme will bring together the best in culinary excellence to provide the apprentices with the quality training, development and learning in the industry.

The over-arching goal of the HIT Chef Academy is to challenge and stretch the apprentices, supporting them to raise their core skills and confidence through the syllabus, including subjects such as knife skills, stocks, cold presentation, patisserie, kitchen management, flavour profiles and team work. 

In addition to this, the apprentices will also benefit from masterclasses, supplier visits and demonstrations from leading industry professionals, such as Paul Wayne Gregory, the chocolatier.

Mannering said: “Here in the UK we are leaders in innovative cooking and fine dining experiences – with the number of Michelin starred restaurants increasing each year – and it is an exciting time for the industry as it continues to grow.

“Apprenticeships have a vital role to play in training the next generation of chefs.  By launching the HIT Chef Academy we hope to offer more chefs the opportunity to build a successful career in the hospitality industry and to invest in their training and development for the benefit of both the chefs and their employers.”

HIT Training currently has over 1,600 cookery apprentices across the country.