Cateys 2024: Education and Training Award: Peter Jones, Crumbs

The Education and Training Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated an innovative approach to continuous learning, with particular regard to the needs of the hospitality industry in the UK. And Peter Jones’s continued commitment to education and learning makes him a worthy candidate for this year’s award.

 

His passion and enthusiasm for the industry has spanned his career, from his engagement with the Institute of Hospitality as the chair of the professional review panel, to his chairmanship of Crumbs, a small charity that specialises in providing hospitality education training to adults with a wide range of learning difficulties.

 

His latest accomplishments involve developing a restructured Crumbs into a significant and authoritative voice which champions the contribution those with disabilities can make in the industry. This is being achieved through the ongoing development of the Crumbs professional training programmes, and providing a voice for trainees that recognises their achievements.

 

He has taken that message to the industry through publications and showcase events at Crumbs. At these dinners, guests are invited as an opportunity for trainees to demonstrate how those with disabilities can make a significant contribution to the industry. Jones has been successful in securing a visit from the minister for disabilities, largely as a result of establishing a national profile for Crumbs and the wider recognition of the impact a small but resolute charity can have.

 

Jones’s educational passion has also seen him co-found Hotel Future, an innovative approach to incorporating an apprentice model within a fully functioning commercial hotel. The concept is currently being discussed for incorporation in a potential new development in the north of England.

 

As the academic director for eHotelier, he has overseen the development of the online career track programme that has been accessed by more than 200,000 hospitality professionals across the world. These programmes are designed to be a progressive professional development provision that allows the individual to develop their own path to career advancement. 

 

Jones’s achievements don’t stop there. He is a special adviser to the board of EUHOFA, the International Association of Hotel Schools, and in that role he developed a plan for the development and growth of the association. For the 170 members, representing all levels of education, including Cornell University, EHL Hospitality Business School and specialist hotel schools throughout the world, he is recognised as a significant authority. 

 

More recently he has completed an international survey of over 800 general and senior managers within the industry to identify the future skills needs for hospitality staff over the next five to 10 years.

 

What the judges said

 

“Peter is a giant of the education sector. His commitment to developing materials, publications and a voice for the sector make him a worthy winner.” David McKown

 

“An individual who has dedicated his life towards education and training with inexhaustible energy.” Cyrus Todiwala

 

The shortlist

 

Andrew Cullum Avery Healthcare

 

Peter Jones Crumbs

 

Andy MacKenzie Exclusive Chefs’ Academy

 

Jill Whittaker HIT Training

 

The judges

 

Andrew Boer Edge Hotel School

 

Michael Coaker University of West London

 

David Cochrane HIT Scotland

 

John Cousins Food and Bev Training

 

Angela Maher Savoy Educational Trust

 

David McKown University of Sheffield

 

Cyrus Todiwala Café Spice Namaste