Harbour & Jones has joined forces with Westminster Kingsway College to offer its first year Professional Chef Diploma students a two week work placement as part of their study programme.  Through company chef Kevin Schofield’s contacts with the college, H&J has been finding places since November for the 85 students in ten of our London sites.

The students spend two weeks in our kitchens putting into practice the lessons they have learnt from their course. This includes food preparation, health and safety, food hygiene and dish presentation.  With a selection of diverse sites available, the trainees can get involved in all aspects of contract catering; from cooking for large numbers of staff, to hospitality, fine dining and event catering.

For many students, this will be the first time they have worked in a busy professional kitchen and this opportunity gives them an insight into the reality of cooking under pressure and the chance to apply the skills they have learnt at Westminster Kingsway College.  We also hope that they will also benefit from the mentoring provided by our chefs who will continue to track the students as they progress through their 3 year course.

Jordan Kerridge who has recently spent his placement at the Institute of Physics has this to say on his experience: “Working with Chef Leo Rodley has given me many new ideas as well as opening my eyes to working in a busy kitchen environment.  My daily duties have included producing food for the staff cafe and pastry work which I have really enjoyed.  All the baking is done in-house so I have always had a job to do if the kitchen is quiet.  I feel very lucky to have been in a placement where I could be part of the main kitchen brigade.  Working with Chef Leo and his Sous Chef Rafa has taught me a lot about producing food on a large scale whilst maintaining high standards of flavour and presentation.”