Four Hundred Students Benefit from Chef Academies Supported by The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation

The year 10 and 11 students have participated in the Junior Chefs Academy held at University of West London and the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College.

Since the Foundation began supporting these academies in January 2012 a total of 34 of the 10 week Saturday morning courses have been held.

The Foundation is grateful to The Savoy Educational Trust, which has provided matched funding for the academies since 2013.

Geoffrey Harrison said: “All of us at the Foundation are immensely proud to be able to support the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College. Attracting new talent into the catering and hospitality industry is vital to its continued growth and the academy is doing just that by giving young people a taste of what the industry has to offer, while teaching them real, applicable skills they can use to build a career.”

Gary Hunter, Head of Faculty for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College, said: “We are so appreciative of the support from The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation for our Young Chef Academy students. These ten week courses are delivered throughout the academic year on Saturdays by our dedicated lecturers, and the students prepare and serve at their graduation lunch to their family as a celebration event. Many of the young chefs have gone onto our Professional Chef Diploma and Chef Apprenticeship programmes. Every graduation is supported by a representative from The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation and we value this partnership and hands-on approach that they undertake. To play a significant role in shaping the younger generation’s dream and future is a great honour.”

Photo caption: The latest class to graduate the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College, pictured with their chef instructor (back row, centre), Foundation Trustee Richard Harrison (back row, right) and Willy Bauer OBE, Chairman of AB Hotels (seated), who was there to support his grandson (standing next to him).