Ballymena Area hotels to play key role in new "Chef Academy" training

Budding chefs are encouraged to apply for a brand new course launched by the Northern Ireland Hospitality School today (Monday 15 August), providing students with the opportunity to acquire a Cooking qualification and guarantee employment in a Northern Ireland hotel.

The launch in April last year of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School (part-funded by Ballymena-based charity The Gallaher Trust) is the latest in the school's ambitious plans to support the local hospitality sector and to help those seeking careers in the hospitality sector move out of the industry onto the labour market.

In the brand-new Chef Academy six successful applicants will be selected, to earn a fellowship at a hotel in Northern Ireland-the Adair Arms Hotel, Galgorm Resort or Tullyglass House Hotel-where they will be finally guaranteed jobs.

Succeptive candidates will receive a state - approved qualification (FDQ Level 2 Diploma in Professional Chef - Northern Ireland) earned through their training partner, South Eastern Regional College (SERC).

With an investment of almost £250.000 in its first year, the Bar Academy plans to employ six local chef trainees for their first start in September with applications open from now on.

The announcement follows the establishment last April of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, partly sponsored by Ballymena-based charity The Gallaher Trust.

Lauren McAteer of the Gallaher Trust, says:"Since the NI Hospitality School was launched last year, we've been delighted to see the response from young people keen to get a foot on the hospitality ladder, as well as from those looking to make the move to a new career within the hospitality sector.

Founded by the three hotels and sponsored in part by the Gallaher Trust, Bar Academy and Chef Academy are provided by the training partners, Northern Regional College and South Eastern Regional College, and are a mix of virtual learning, instruction and hands-on learning.