Hotel du Vin Harrogate is set to welcome aspiring chefs as part of an expansion of its Chef Academy programme.
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have announced that their Chef Academy will open to external applicants for the first time, offering young people the opportunity to develop careers in hospitality.
The programme will welcome 20 apprentices this year, including up to five external applicants across the group's hotels.
Hotel du Vin Harrogate is one of four locations selected to offer external placements, alongside hotels in Brighton, Newcastle and Stratford-upon-Avon.
The academy is aligned with the Government's Youth Jobs Grant Scheme, supporting young people aged 16 to 24 who have been unemployed and receiving Universal Credit for at least six months.
Participants will receive practical kitchen training, professional qualifications and opportunities to develop long-term careers in hospitality.
The programme combines Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships with visits to suppliers, farms and food producers.
Apprentices will also benefit from workshops and mentoring sessions led by the group's experienced Chef Directors.
Chad Smith, Head of Recruitment and Onboarding at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, said:
“We have created a bespoke apprenticeship programme that aligns directly with the Government's Youth Jobs Grant Scheme and provides aspiring chefs with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build rewarding careers in hospitality.
“This year marks an exciting milestone for the academy as we open it up to external applicants for the first time.
“Alongside colleagues already working within our hotels, we are welcoming up to five new participants from outside the business who are looking to develop their culinary skills and begin a career in hospitality.”
The expansion comes as the hospitality industry continues to face skills shortages, with the academy aiming to encourage more young people into professional kitchens.
The programme has already helped several employees progress into senior kitchen roles.
Former apprentice Zoltan Nacsa, who is now a Sous Chef at Hotel du Vin Stratford-upon-Avon, said:
“It's a fantastic programme and one I would recommend to anyone with a passion for cooking and hospitality.
“It requires commitment, but the experience, exposure and opportunities it provides are invaluable and have genuinely helped take my career to the next level.”
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin currently operate 37 hotels across the UK, employing more than 2,300 people.
The expanded Chef Academy forms part of the group's wider commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality professionals.
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