The College and University Accreditation scheme was launched in July 2020 by the Craft Guild of Chefs to ‘inspire’ the next generation of chefs at grassroots level.

The scheme is aimed at colleges and universities that want to benefit from the association’s decades of experience and to tap into its extensive network of chefs by associating their faculty with the Craft Guild of Chefs name.

To achieve the accreditation lecturers and students at Loughborough College where interviewed in addition to skills training sessions being observed to ensure they met the Craft Guild of Chefs standards.

The day included an assessment of the Radmoor Restaurant at Loughborough College, conducted by David McKown and Rupert Rowley who are members of the management committee at the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Professor David Foskett, chief assessor, commented: "Accreditation gives institutions professional recognition. It demonstrates that the courses and curriculum offered have industry credibility, as well as industry standard facilities and resources to pass the external employer audit.

“In addition, it recognises that your students have the employability skills required by the global hospitality industry. The industry will undoubtedly look very different in 2021 and being sufficiently accredited in such a way will ensure robustness in the future. Loughborough’s success, even in such challenging times, is especially commendable.”

The Craft Guild of Chefs has always been committed to increasing the standards of professional cooking through greater awareness, education and training.

Jo Maher, principal at Loughborough College, added: “I am delighted and proud that we are the first college in the UK to be accredited by the Craft Guild of Chefs.

“Our hospitality staff and students are a credit to Loughborough College and thoroughly deserve this accolade for their consistently high standards and hard work.”