Budding head chefs and those aspiring to a career in front of house now have the opportunity to learn from the industry’s best.

The new Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College, in partnership with City & Guilds and Exeter College, will mix challenging practical and theoretical workshops with high profile experiences and masterclasses from leading chefs to promote excellence in hospitality and catering.

Designed to nurture the future generation of talented UK restaurateurs, chefs and food service personnel, the selection process at the end of the June will see just 16 applicants, aged between 16 and 19 years, invited to join the Academy – eight front of house and eight chefs. They will then commence the two year full time course in September, and will be given the opportunity to work their way up the flagship City & Guilds Level 3 Diplomas in Advanced Professional Cookery or Food and Beverage Service Supervision. They will also take part in further full time courses beyond the initial two years, potentially leading to a Level 4 City & Guilds qualification.

Setting the Academy apart will be the opportunity for students to participate in an array of learning experiences in addition to those core requirements of the nationally recognised Diplomas.

Helping students excel through knowledge development beyond the classroom, these activities will include masterclasses from the region’s leading chefs and producers, with Michael directly involved as well as Neil Haydock of Watergate Bay Hotel, Matt Mason of Jack in the Green and Tim Bouget of ODE Restaurant, taking on mentor roles. Farm walks, butchery demonstrations and visits to abattoirs, cheese manufacturers, breweries and bakeries are also planned in year one, with the aim of connecting students with the food and drink they will be using throughout their careers.

Speaking of the Academy, Principal of Exeter College Richard Atkins said, “We’re very excited about this new initiative that will raise the profile of excellence in hospitality. We’re proud of all our past students but Michael Caines has been a brilliant ambassador for the College from the time he was the College’s Catering student of the Year. He is now not only one of our Governors but is also spearheading this Academy that not only bears his name but is inspired by his passion for excellence across the hospitality and catering sector. The range of masterclasses and placements planned will therefore give these Academy students the elite experiences that will set them up for an equally glittering career as Michael.”

In year two, students can expect to enter industry competitions, visit leading trade shows and experience work in the country’s leading hotels and restaurants including Gidleigh Park. This represents another crucial element of the Academy, in that by developing local students’ skill levels and standards, high quality South West establishments can benefit from the pool of talent right on their doorstep.

A number of leading businesses are already involved but the Academy are proactively encouraging more to take part, as Michael Caines MBE confirms, “Our hospitality industry and colleges have to work together to develop the right learning skills. The Academy is doing just this by working in partnership with some of the best restaurants, pubs, caterers and hotels within our region and beyond to develop our students and to provide them with long term employment via an apprenticeship or through direct placement. We need to ensure that we continue to offer excellence in all we do if we are to maintain this important South West industry as a first choice for the consumer and as an employer alike. To achieve this we need to invest in our future, therefore our youth. Get involved!”

Designing vocational qualifications delivered by colleges, training providers and employers, City & Guilds are working closely with Michael and Exeter College to develop the best combination of qualifications and units to underpin the Academy’s training.

With Hospitality and Catering as one of their flagship sectors, Richard Hickin, City & Guilds Regional Manager, confirmed, “As a member of our Alumni, we are extremely proud of Michael’s achievements. At City & Guilds, we’re in business to inspire people to discover their talent, realise their career aspirations and encourage them to develop their skills to be the best they can possibly be. Michael is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you believe in yourself. The Academy will have a huge impact on the future careers of its learners and on the industry overall and we are really excited to be a key partner in delivering Michael’s vision of catering excellence.”