Fifteen young chefs graduate from the Fifteen Foundation

The latest round of Fifteen young chefs will graduate today from the London apprenticeship scheme run by the Fifteen Foundation.

 

Friends, family and supporters will gather to celebrate the achievements of the group at an evening ceremony at Christ Church Spitalfields.

 

The event will also celebrate the record number of trainees retained on the scheme this year. It is also the first time the scheme has been shortened to 12 months instead of 18.

 

Fifteen Foundation chief executive Penny Newman said: "We are very proud of the class of 2009. Their hard work has paid off and it is really pleasing to see them setting off on their chosen paths. Nearly half of them were offered jobs during their work placements and the rest of them are working hard to gain employment.

 

"Each person has been on an amazing journey and we hope that they keep in touch with the Fifteen family as they pursue their new found careers."

 

Fifteen offers young, often disadvantaged people the chance to transform their lives, encouraging them to realise their own potential through the experience of learning to work in the restaurant business.

 

Each graduate will be presented with a Fifteen dog tag and certificate by executive head chef Andrew Parkinson and Jamie Oliver's good friend and mentor Gennaro Contaldo, who also works with the Fifteen apprentices every year.

 

More than 141 apprentices have been recruited to date through the Fifteen chef apprenticeship scheme at the flagship restaurant in London, of which 82 (63%) have graduated. The course comprises 30% college attendance and 50% restaurant shifts, with the rest of the time given over to welfare support and other supplementary support, including trips to Fifteen's producers.

 

The list of graduates are:

 

Owain Atkinson
Grade: Merit
Work placement: The Fat Duck
Now working as Chef de Partie, Chez Bruce

 

Julian Bailey Grade: Merit
Work placement: The Vineyard at Stockcross
Now working as Pastry Chef at Fifteen before going to the US

 

Claire Braine Grade: Pass
Work placement: River Cottage
Currently doing trials

 

Steven Estevez
Grade: Pass
Work placement: Odette's
Now working as commis chef at Plateau, Canary Wharf

 

Morgan Evans-Dixon Grade: Distinction
Work placement: The Ritz
Currently moved to Devon temporarily to be with his family. He's been offered a job at the Ritz

 

Tedros Hagos Grade: Distinction
Work placement: Coq d'Argent
Currently working as a Commis Chef at Coq d'Argent

 

Paul Lacey
Grade: Merit
Work placement: Theo Randall at The InterContinental Park Lane, Mayfair
Currently in discussions for a full time position

 

Trina Lewis Grade: Merit
Work placement: Moro
Currently: worked at Fifteen at Harvest at Jimmy's and at Fifteen stand at Finsbury Square Farmers Market

 

Daniel Parish
Grade: Pass
Work placement: St. John's Restaurant
Currently doing trials

 

Elliot Roche
Grade: Merit
Work placement: One Aldwych
Currently doing trials

 

Marvin Robb
Grade: Pass
Work placement: Gaucho, Bishopsgate
Currently doing trials

 

James Santrey Grade: Merit
Work placement: Plateau, Canary Wharf
Currently work as Commis Chef at Plateau in Canary Wharf

 

Sandy Simmons Grade: Merit
Work placement: Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire
Currently worked with Fifteen at Harvest at Jimmy's Festival and at Fifteen stand at Finsbury Square Farmers Market

 

Chantelle Townsend
Grade: Pass
Work placement: Loch Fyne, City Branch
She has decided to pursue a career in fishmongery

 

William Turpin
Grade: Merit
Work placement: Nahm
Currently: doing trials

 

To see more of Fifteen's class of 2009, visit Fifteen's Youtube channel.

 

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurants win grant to become MSC-certified >>
Jamie Oliver Fifteen >>

 

Fifteen semi-finalists chosen for annual sommelier competition >>

 

By Janie Stamford

 

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