Umbrella Training launches culinary school

Umbrella Training has launched its own culinary school in Lakefield Hospitality College, London.

The school will offer a 12-month apprenticeship programme, including courses on practical kitchen skills, knife-handling, and designing a three-course meal.

Mentorship and career advice platforms will also be available.

Industry experts will lead masterclasses, such as the menu-design masterclass, which will involve learning about diverse cuisines, the ‘farm to fork' philosophy, and veganism.

Apprentices will be invited to a co-funded, three-day trip to France in the tenth month of the course.

There will be between 10 to 15 apprentices attending each session.

The school is designed to close the skills gap in the hospitality industry, which has been aggravated by staff shortages, while also enabling Umbrella Training to offer a further return on investment to its partners.

Adele Oxberry, CEO of Umbrella Training, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Lakefield College to launch the Umbrella Training Cookery School, having already enjoyed a long-standing relationship with them.

"We've made a substantial investment to develop this school, which will help apprentices build their confidence, skills and knowledge by offering them ready access to industry experts, engaging masterclasses, and exposure to creative and diverse cooking."

Andrew Green, CEO of the Craft Guild of Chefs, added: "We all know the hospitality industry is desperate for staff, particularly chefs, and it's vital that the industry invests in chef development, from new entrants to the industry all the way up to executive level. We are delighted to see organisations like Umbrella taking these steps.

"This cookery school will help the industry retain chefs by upskilling them and allowing them the opportunity to get creative in a professional kitchen environment."

Umbrella Training is a nationwide training and apprenticeship provider founded in 2012.