Goodwood to celebrate apprentices with special dinner

Taking place at The Kennels on Thursday, February 6 the three-course meal has been created by the Culinary Academy under the careful direction of Goodwood executive head chef Darron Bunn.

The Chichester estate currently has 13 trainees from chefs to accountants.

The Culinary Academy provides on the job chef training for young people to work and train in Goodwood’s amazingly diverse kitchens over a two year period and is overseen by Michelin star executive head chef Darron Bunn. Upon qualification, graduates are offered a position within one of the restaurants across the estate.

“Our academy provides chef apprentices with two years of estate-wide kitchen and farm experiences as well as gaining industry recognised chef qualifications,” explained Darron.

“You don’t get that kind of hands-on experience with any other type of catering courses. At Goodwood, our apprentices become valuable members of our 50-strong team and are vitally important to our future success. When they graduate after two years they are proper industry ready chefs,” Darron added.

Ellie Hawley, 18, is one of Goodwood’s apprentice chefs and started the academy in July 2019. Ellie is currently based at The Bar & Grill in the Goodwood hotel and has been moving around the estate seeing how all the different kitchens work. She spent her first two months working on the farm with the animals and learning how the meat is prepared before it arrives in the kitchens.

Ellie said: “I have loved working on the farm and I have enjoyed working in the different kitchens learning new techniques and working with different people.”

Ellie joined the academy after completing a catering course at college.

“It’s a great step, especially coming straight from college. It is so evidence based and allowed me to work out what sort of thing I might like to do in the future. It has been a quick but long six months that has taught me lots but there is still lots to be uncovered.”

If you are interested in being part of the class of 2020 Cuilnary Academy the application process opens next week.

It is fully open to applications from any level, who are looking to complete a Level 2, 3 or 4 qualification.

You’ll gain an industry recognised qualification whilst obtaining the essential Kitchen experience you need to give you a springboard into your career! You’ll also gain un-rivalled experiences like no other organisation can offer, including behind the scenes access to our world-famous events and exclusive masterclasses. Get in touch with Goodwood.

Tickets for the meal are £45 per person, includes a welcome drink and three-course dinner, visit www.goodwood.com