SHU seeks apprentice chefs to learn their trade in a top kitchen

One of Belfast’s top restaurants is again launching its hugely successful  apprenticeship programme in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College.

For more than 20 years SHU has been creating award-winning dishes and nurturing top-class chefs able to work anywhere in the world.

Now in its fifth year, the coveted ‘SHU Chef Apprentice Programme’ aims to continue that heritage by giving three budding cooks aged between 16-24 first-hand experience in working with the finest seasonal produce, in a professional kitchen with the very best chefs in the business.

The partnership with Belfast Met means that the apprentices will also receive their City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery.

The Lisburn Road restaurant is owned and operated by Alan Reid and Brian McCann who say they have developed the programme “In a continuing bid to find the very best young, passionate people that have a serious desire to enter the industry and to help shape the future of hospitality in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

Launched within SHU’s renowned ‘Centre for Cooking Excellence’, headed up by Matt Jordan and Brian McCann, a former Great British Menu star, the Apprenticeship Programme this year promises to be better than ever.

Brian said: “We are just concluding year four of the programme and we are so glad we started it back in 2015.  It has been hugely successful and also rewarding, and has allowed us to find two exceptional young chefs last year who are now working in a full-time capacity with us.

“At SHU we are passionate about nurturing our team and our apprentices to help them push their own boundaries in providing exceptional cookery.

“I started my career as an apprentice chef so I understand the challenges and apprehensions that young people have at the beginning.

‘Real shortage of skilled staff’

“We have made this a fun, fantastic programme which is hard-work, but also hugely rewarding and gets the apprentices right into the thick of it from day one.

“Leaving COVID aside, which has obviously made the past year particularly challenging, we feel that there is a real shortage of skilled staff in what is a very successful and growing hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

“That creates a massive opportunity for the next generation seeking a career in what will continue to be a growing sector of our economy.

“We wanted to break the mould, and show young people what a fantastic industry this is and with the right skills and training we will give them the gift of being able to work anywhere in the world.

“We have had many young cooks come through our kitchen, some of whom have gone on to work in some of the world’s most renowned restaurants. I want to urge any young cook who has a real passion and determination to succeed in this industry to get in touch and apply for this amazing opportunity. No experience is necessary, but the right attitude is essential.”

Fiona Dempsey, Head of Belfast Business School at Belfast Metropolitan College added: “Belfast Met is delighted to be once-again involved in this partnership with SHU Restaurant.

“Last year’s scheme was hugely successful and the two young chefs have immensely enjoyed their time there and to be offered a job at the end of it is the icing on the cake.”

Application forms are available NOW. To apply for the SHU Chef Apprenticeship programme email apprenticeship@shu-restaurant.com or visit https://www.shu-restaurant.com/chef-apprenticeship/