Simon Rogan, the chef behind Michelin-acclaimed restaurants including L’Enclume, Rogan & Co, Aulis Cartmel,Henrock at Linthwaite House as well as outposts of Roganic & Aulis in Hong Kong is launching a new culinary academy.
The Simon Rogan Academy, created in collaboration with Kendal College, has been specifically designed to take students on a unique journey of the culinary arts through immersive hands-on learning.
The cutting-edge learning package has been designed to equip participants with extraordinary skills that will escalate their passion for food and drink, provide them with a strong foothold in the hospitality industry and develop a career within one of the UK’s leading restaurant groups.
The Simon Rogan Academy is now recruiting its first cohort of students. Initially, up to 14 student places are available for those aged 16 years and above and who are resident in the UK.
The course runs for 18 months, culminating in a fully expensed week-long stagiaire at Roganic, Simon’s one Michelin starred restaurant in Hong Kong - with all flights and hotel accommodation paid for.
Simon Rogan commented: ‘’I’ve established the Simon Rogan Academy as a way of doing something positive to help try to fill this skills gap in the hospitality sector.
"I’ve chosen to work closely with Kendal College, who share the same values and requirements for excellence that I do to ensure that students achieve their potential.
"I also want to show people that choosing a career in hospitality is an exciting prospect, one that can literally take them anywhere in the world. It’s an incredibly rewarding industry, day in, day out you are surrounded by people who are passionate and creative in everything they do.
"Hopefully, the Academy will play a small part in encouraging more people to consider a career in the sector.’’
The Academy will focus on developing and nurturing aspiring chefs, as they progress through the bespoke apprenticeship, with a view to becoming fully fledged commis chefs at the end of their training.
During the course, students will work across Simon’s Lake District restaurant kitchens for four days a week and have the opportunity to work first hand with the team to include time spent growing produce at Our Farm, Simon’s farm close to Cartmel.
One day per week will be spent at Kendal College learning the essential skills needed to develop a successful career in hospitality and to attain an accredited level 2 City & Guilds qualification.
For those interested in finding out more about the Simon Rogan Academy an open day is being held at L'Enclume on Monday 16th August, running from 1.00pm to 4.00pm, hosted by Paul Burgalieres - Head Chef at L'Enclume.
Richard Axford, Head of Faculty and Service Industries at Kendal College, said: ‘’This is a ground-breaking moment for the Cumbrian hospitality industry, as this course offers a fantastic opportunity to work with Simon and his team, whilst training at our state-of-the-art training facility.
"We have long enjoyed a superb working relationship with Simon, and this enables us to come together to give young people a chance to pursue a career at the highest level in this wonderful industry.
"We look forward to developing this concept with Simon and his team to become an industry leading experience.’’
Learning will be further enhanced with a number of specific skills at the heart of the Simon Rogan ethos, including preserving, pickling and fermenting, as well as developing an understanding of sustainable cooking practices.
This carefully considered learning package not only allows students to learn their craft, but also provides the opportunity to earn a wage while working as an integral part of the restaurant group’s team.
Sam Ward, Managing Director of Simon’s restaurant group commented: ‘’We are really proud to be able to provide students who enrol in the academy with a unique opportunity to learn the intricacies of culinary craft from some of the UK's leading chefs and to gain industry leading qualifications, which will enable them as chefs to travel the world.''
