Member Article

Apprentice turned restaurateur creates 15 jobs with new Hartlepool eatery

Former Hartlepool College apprentice Jack Hunter has become one of the UK’s youngest restaurant owners, opening Hunter’s Restaurant on Hartlepool Marina’s Navigation Point.

The 20-year-old Hartlepool lad, who has created 15 new jobs with the launch, opened doors for the first time on friday evening at the eatery which can accommodate up to 40 people.

Studying a Level 2 apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering and Level 3 in Professional Cookery at the college, Jack had also worked an apprentice at Krimo’s restaurant prior to the opening.

The young entrepreneur says his restaurant will serve modern British food, with ‘a few crowd pleasers like burgers and steaks’ as well as a vegan menu, all of which uses locally-sourced produce.

Reflecting on the journey to get where he is today, he said: “Working as an apprentice taught me how to handle responsibility. I had to learn the fundamentals fast. You have to get it right and move quickly because of the high pressured environment of a fully working restaurant.

“In college you can take your time but in the workplace you get shown once and then it’s on your head. You get rewarded for working hard. In two years as an apprentice I moved from being a commis chef to sous chef level.

“To get a full qualification and to work at the same time was important to me, I was never good at the academic side of school and I just wanted to get out and work. The number of options at Hartlepool College of Further Education was incredible. They really catered for my needs. If I didn’t have the apprenticeship I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Finishing the apprenticeship, Jack decided that the time was right to open his own restaurant and work for himself.

“I had a couple of jobs but I always had my own way of thinking. Even in college I had my own creative flair and vision. I always strived to get it right, my way,” he said.

“I raised my own money and I got help from my dad, a bank loan and money from other investors but the name on the lease is mine and at the end of the day it all rests on my shoulders.

Jack represented Hartlepool College at the World Skills Competition at University College in Birmingham. The competition brings together apprentices from across the country to compete to be the best in their chosen skills.

He made it to the regional heats where he was beaten by an apprentice from world class chef Michel Roux Jr.

“For the competition we had to cook two dishes in an hour. I chose a duck dish and a chocolate soufflé. I remember the duck because it was a nightmare!”

Kevin Dove, Jack’s teacher at Hartlepool College of Further Education, commented: “The competition made him realise the level he wanted to work at.

“Being surrounded by those types of people and to rub shoulders with such great chefs made him realise what he was capable of.”

Jack added: “It’s always been my dream to open my own restaurant I just didn’t think it would be this early. I don’t feel like it’s real just yet!”

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