East Anglia Training Provider partners with Award Winning Chef to deliver new standards

Norwich chef and training provider team up to offer exciting opportunities for chefs of the future

A well-known Norwich chef has joined forces with a city-based training provider to offer cutting edge insight to apprentices in the hospitality sector. 

Skills Edge, which delivers commercial, private and government-funded training programmes across a range of industries and sectors, has forged a partnership with Richard Hughes, chef director at The Assembly House in Norwich, to offer an accredited training course for students. 

The partnership will see trainees attending the Richard Hughes Cookery School for training in conjunction with their employment within a professional kitchen. Skills Edge will provide the support systems for the learners, and both Mr Hughes and the Skills Edge team will liaise with employers to ensure the effectiveness of the programme. 

“It’s incredibly exciting for the team here at the Richard Hughes Cookery School to be involved in this,” explained Mr Hughes, who has taught at City College Norwich and Great Yarmouth and his school was the winner of the inaugural British Cookery School of the Year. 

“At a time when professional kitchens are becoming increasingly worried about the number of youngsters joining the trade and the calibre of training on offer, we feel this is a unique scheme whereby the student will combine on-the-job training from their employer, support from Skills Edge Training and have the opportunity to work within a small group of their peers with tuition within a highly bespoke programme. 

“We will meet all the criteria that is required for the qualification, as well as involving local suppliers and producers. Other notable local chefs will visit the students and the aim is to give a far more realistic experience of what’s required in a commercial kitchen and what’s on offer for a committed, dedicated student.’’ 

Skills Edge’s Head of Education, Charlotte Andrews, commented ‘’We thinks it’s a really positive inspirational union that will benefit the Norfolk hospitality industry. Richard is well known in the area for this commitment and passion for teaching young chefs, and is a perfect partner for our expanding company. The need for quality recruitment and training has never been higher in the industry and we are delighted with this new initiative.” 

Skills Edge courses are delivered by experienced and practising sector professionals to ensure that the training students receive offers real industry value and prepares learners for the challenges and demands of different industries. 

The Richard Hughes Cookery School is based at The Assembly House Norwich, and offers classes for enthusiastic amateurs, corporate team building events classes and chef development days for the industry. 

The initial qualification will be the Commis Chef Level Two. Students will be employed with a professional kitchen and attend the Richard Hughes Cookery School on a regular basis. 

The qualification: Commis chef Level Two 

Working as a commis chef is a great way of getting started in a kitchen; while it’s the most junior culinary role it provides a means of learning a range of key skills on the job. A commis chef prepares food and carries out basic cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef. A primary objective of the commis chef is to learn and understand how to carry out the basic functions in every section of the kitchen. This gives them the opportunity to experience, consider and value each section with a view to choosing an area where they feel most inspired. 

The learning journey of a chef will vary considerably from one individual to the next; however it is the range of experiences in the basics gained in this role which provide the opportunities to progress to any future senior chef role.

Potential students and employers can apply or get more information by emailing or calling Skills Edge on 03333 583559.