WHEN EXETER-born Daniel Bonner landed a dream job at top London restaurant Fifteen a year ago, he couldn’t believe it.
Following a promotion to Chef de Partie at the fashionable eaterie famously founded by Jamie Oliver after only eight months, he has just been offered another – this time taking up the role of Chef de Partie at its sister restaurant in Amsterdam.
But the story doesn’t end there…
As 20-year-old Daniel begins his new life in Holland this month, 19-year-old Brynley Phipps – another former Exeter College Professional Chef Advanced Apprentice and also originally from Exeter – replaces him in London as the new Demi Chef de Partie.
Former St Peter’s School pupil Daniel completed his Level 3 in Professional Chef Advanced Apprenticeship in 2009 at Exeter College while employed by Phil Picton at The Cat In The Hat in Exeter. He says he is hugely grateful to both his College lecturer Dave Byford and Phil for having helped him on his way.
Also not forgotten are the kitchen staff at Le Petit Maison in Topsham who first sparked his enthusiasm for cooking while he earned pocket money washing the dishes as a teenager.
Having originally left his family home in Broadfields for London, Daniel’s early morning commute to work now consists of a 20-minute bicycle ride along Amsterdam’s pretty canals.
Already settling in to his new home in the Dutch capital, his responsibilities include running sections of the kitchen and training students.
“Being offered the chance to move to Fifteen Amsterdam was really exciting and at the same time pretty scary,” admits Daniel. “I knew it would mean getting used to living in a new country and learning a new language. But the people here are amazing and very friendly and welcoming. I’m having a great time.”
Meanwhile, in London, it is Brynley’s turn to cut his cloth at Fifteen’s flagship establishment. Although sad to leave friends and family in the South-West, he is hugely excited by the prospect of entering the world of fine dining and celebrity chefs.
A former pupil of Dawlish Community College, Brynley began his NVQ Level 2 Professional Chef Apprenticeship at Exeter College in 2007 while employed by The Devon Hotel.
He has then spent the last 20 months living in Doddiscombsleigh and working at The Nobody Inn where – originally taken on as he worked towards his Level 3 Professional Chef Advanced Apprenticeship – he completed his last service last week.
“It’s a pleasure to know I’m going to be working at the restaurant which Jamie Oliver made famous,” he says. “At the moment, it still feels crazy and overwhelming. It doesn’t feel real,” he says.
“I was literally buzzing when I got there,” continues Brynley, recalling how he felt when he arrived for his job interview.
“I was so scared because I knew I wanted to work there so much, but I worked from 9am until 4pm and completed lunchtime service, and it felt amazing.
“I am really grateful to them and to everyone at home who has supported me here in the South-West so far in my career. I’m looking forward to doing a good job of following in Daniel’s footsteps.”