The judges acknowledged the quality of placement offered by the university across multiple employers for catering and hospitality working with six out of the seven Michelin star restaurants throughout the region on Royal Academy Culinary Arts apprenticeships, as well as Compass, Amadeus and numerous SMEs.

The institution trains 70 culinary apprentices throughout the Midlands who benefit from ‘outstanding personal development’ including competitions, including a record haul at Hotelympia last year, and trips to suppliers.

Stuart Wildsmith, apprenticeship account manager (culinary arts), said: “This was a team effort: from the team here at University College Birmingham to the team of stakeholders who contribute with advice, guidance and employment, and of course the apprentices themselves who, when completing, go on to rewarding careers in professional cookery. Hospitality in the UK is struggling with high prices, wages and utilities and since Covid, kitchens in the Midlands have been hard hit with people leaving the industry.

“We are plugging that gap with forward-thinking employers and offering apprentices the opportunity to make a difference and see why culinary roles are so incredibly rewarding. We are all in this together. We will continue to speak to and support all employers big or small across the Midlands and beyond to see how an apprentice could work for them.”