The National Trust operates more than 140 tea-rooms and restaurants. Many of the products used are sourced locally and are regional specialities and often feature historical menus reflecting the heyday of the house.
Behind the scenes at many of these properties are teams of dedicated and committed chefs, who help to ensure that each visit to a National Trust tea-room or restaurant is a memorable one. Training new young apprentice chefs is vital and the National Trust has taken advantage of a national training programme, available through Further Education Colleges and called ‘Train to Gain’, at its property at Saltram nr Plymouth.
The training programme ensures that people with a passion for food are encouraged to learn what it takes to work in an operational restaurant kitchen and also spend one day per week gaining formal qualifications at Plymouth City College. The proximity of the college to Saltram was a key factor in launching the programme there and it is planned to extend it to more National Trust restaurants in the future.
Jane Burrell, National Trust Catering Manager for Saltram said:
'We are delighted to have been chosen as the regional site for training catering staff. We have a wonderful new restaurant here at Saltram with great facilities. I’m personally so proud of our trainees and the success they have achieved'.
Such is the success of this programme that Gemma Ferguson, who spent a year training with the catering team at the Park Restaurant at Saltram in 2007, as well as gaining her Level 2 NVQ in food preparation and cooking at Plymouth City College, has been awarded Regional Apprentice of the year.
Gemma gained vital experience and confidence at Saltram and was even able to step into the role of head chef at short notice. Plymouth City College, recognising her talents, nominated her for Apprentice of the Year and she subsequently went on to win the Regional Award. Gemma is now working as Chef de Partie at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth but considers her training and experience gained at Saltram as the making of her.
Gemma is not the only successful trainee going on to bigger and better things. Dave Mann, who trained with the Saltram Catering team in 2007 has now gone on to be a Commis Chef for the Tanner Brothers in Plymouth. Kevin Williams and Jessica Dufty, both catering assistants at the Park Restaurant, have just achieved their NVQ level 2 in Food & Beverage service.
© NTPL / Andreas von Einsiedel
Gillian Manning, National Trust Regional Catering Operations Manager said:
'The success of these trainees reflects not only their enthusiasm and commitment to learn but also the success of the chef training programme we have introduced at Saltram’s Park Restaurant. The commitment of the restaurant team under Catering Manager, Jane Burrell, and Head Cook, Liz Dawley, has been key in inspiring these young people to succeed, building on their experience with the National Trust to secure posts with significant local employers in their field.'
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