Top chef offers new apprentices recipe for success

The man behind James St, Hadskis and Northern Ireland’s premier cookery school, Waterman House, is on the lookout for new talent.

Top chef and entrepreneur Niall McKenna is seeking eight ambitious young people with a taste for fine food and culinary expertise to step up to the plate and join his apprenticeship programme.

The new and enhanced 2022 programme, announced during National Apprenticeship Week, provides invaluable on-the-job training, experience and mentoring combined with professional learning in partnership with Belfast Met, providing the perfect recipe to kick-start a rewarding career as a chef or in a front-of-house role.

Speaking about the ‘learn-while-you-earn’ opportunity, Niall  said: “Now is the busiest time for the hospitality industry which is bouncing back and confident in its future and there is strong demand and many great opportunities for young men and women who want a fast-track career backed with the best training and qualifications available.

“For those with ambition, a great attitude, creativity and a good sense of humour, we promise best-in-class mentorship, experience and learning in an exciting and friendly environment that delivers a recipe for personal and professional success.

“I’m really proud of the talent we’ve helped to foster over the years as part of our programme including our own Aaron McNeice – now head chef at Hadskis and up and coming trainer at our vibrant cookery school at Waterman House.”

Niall, who started cooking aged just 15, studied cookery at Belfast Met himself before moving to London to train under several Michelin-starred chefs including Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White.

The James St. Apprenticeship Programme, which includes training to NVQ Level 2 at Belfast Met, kicks off in September and candidates aged between 16 and 24 are urged to register on their website www.Jamesst.co.uk by emailing office@jamesstreetsouth.co.uk or phoning 028 9560 0701.

Hadskis head chef, Aaron McNeice, above, added: “This year’s programme promises a real menu of success that mixes top notch real-life training, dedicated mentorship and cutting-edge theory that will help to craft an outstanding career in the industry. With a big love of food and a thriving hospitality environment, I’ve never looked back. I’m delighted to be helping to lead this year’s new recruits and excited by what this opportunity will bring for a new generation of local young men and women.”