Member Article

Restaurant apprentice awards go down a treat and boost hospice funds

Acknowledging the great work of two Leeds City College apprentices was high on the menu at a special presentation organised by the Leeds office of hlw Keeble Hawson.

The law firm’s Leeds office managing partner, Richard Fergusson, gave a trophy and £100 each to 20 year old Danny McHugh Apprentice of the Year (Kitchen) and Kevin Hughes, Apprentice of the Year (Front of House), who is 25.

After joining The Food Academy at Flannels as an apprentice chef in September 2011, Danny was promoted to head chef earlier this year and is undertaking a foundation degree in Business Management. Kevin, who started off front of house and progressed to head chef in less than two years, moved back to dealing more directly with customers while working towards his teacher qualifications at Leeds City College, which runs the restaurant.

The College has recently opened the The Food Academy at Printworks, at its new Printworks Campus on Hunslet Road, which provides students with real-life experience in a working restaurant open to the public.

Both Danny and Kevin have completed NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery as part of their apprenticeships with Leeds City College - Britain’s third largest further education college with 40,000 students.

Richard said: “We commissioned The Food Academy for a client event last year and were so impressed with the calibre of the apprentices that we booked it again and were keen to show our appreciation and support via these awards.”

A charity raffle during the evening raised almost £460 for St. Gemma’s Hospice which hlw Keeble Hawson has supported for many years.

The Food Academy’s commercial manager Jean Pierre Noret said: “The College is delighted to see Kevin and Danny received recognition for all their hard work and commitment and thanks hlw Keeble Hawson for their support.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by hlw Keeble Hawson LLP .