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Two trainee chefs have joined English Lakes Hotels hotel group’s culinary academy as part of a programme delivered in partnership with Kendal College.
The English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy has recruited apprentice chefs Natasha Bull and Alice Metcalfe to undertake Level 2 commis chef and Level 3 chef de partie training while working in the kitchens at Wild Boar Estate near Windermere.
Bull, who has moved from Derbyshire, and Metcalfe, from Kendal, will combine paid work with study as they progress through the hotel group’s training scheme, which has operated since 2017.
The academy offers accredited courses designed to develop practical kitchen skills alongside formal qualifications.
Group training and development chef Daniel Winstanley, an appointed member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, will oversee their training.
Bull, aged 20, said she applied to the academy after researching routes into professional cooking. She said: “I started looking online at how to train to be a chef and what qualifications were needed. The one which really stood out with a specific career pathway was the English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy.”
Metcalfe, aged 17, joined after leaving Dallam School in Kendal over the summer. She first heard about the programme through Kendal College and is active in the local Young Farmers club, where she competes in shows and public speaking events.
Winstanley added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Natasha and Alice to the Culinary Academy. They’ve already settled brilliantly into their kitchen brigade at Wild Boar Estate, showing great enthusiasm and teamwork.
“We’re especially excited to have them involved in our live cooking tent at the Lancaster University Christmas markets, where they’ll be showcasing their skills and exploring the diverse food cultures on offer.”
English Lakes Hotels Resorts and Venues is a family owned and runs three hotels: Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Wild Boar Estate and Lancaster House Hotel.
