Simon Rogan creates culinary academy with college

Simon Rogan, the chef behind Michelin-acclaimed restaurants including L’Enclume, Rogan & Co, Aulis Cartmel and Henrock at Linthwaite House - as well as outposts of Roganic and Aulis in Hong Kong - is launching a new culinary academy.

The Simon Rogan Academy, created in collaboration with Kendal College, has been designed to take students on a unique journey of the culinary arts through immersive hands-on learning.

The learning package will provide students with a strong foothold in the hospitality industry and help them to 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, Rogan's one Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong - with all flights and hotel accommodation paid for.

Filling the skills gap

‘’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," says Rogan. 

"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. 

Open day

For those interested in finding out more about the Simon Rogan Academy an open day is being held at L'Enclume on Monday 16 August, running from 1-4pm hosted by Paul Burgalieres, head chef at L'Enclume.

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