MULTI award-winning Belfast restaurant Shu has launched its latest chef apprentice programme in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College.
Now in its fifth year, the programme offers three budding cooks aged between 16-24 gain first-hand experience in working in a professional kitchen with the best chefs in the business, and they are ultimately working towards gaining a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in professional cookery.
Regarded as one of Belfast’s top restaurants for more than 20 years, Shu on the Lisburn Road is owned and operated by Alan Reid and Brian McCann, who developed the initiative to find the best young and passionate people with a serious desire to enter the industry and help shape the future of hospitality in Northern Ireland.
The apprenticeship programme has been launched within Shu’s renowned ‘Centre for Cooking Excellence’, which is headed up by Matt Jordan and Brian McCann, a former Great British Menu star.
Brian said: “We are just concluding year four of the programme and we are so glad we started it back in 2015.
It has been hugely successful and also rewarding, and has allowed us to find two exceptional young chefs last year who are now working in a full-time capacity with us.
“At Shu we are passionate about nurturing our team and our apprentices to help them push their own boundaries in providing exceptional cookery.
“I started my career as an apprentice chef so I understand the challenges and apprehensions that young people have at the beginning.
“We have made this a fun, fantastic programme which is hard-work, but also hugely rewarding and gets the apprentices right into the thick of it from day one.
“Leaving Covid aside, which has obviously made the past year particularly challenging, we feel that there is a real shortage of skilled staff in what is a very successful and growing hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
“That creates a massive opportunity for the next generation seeking a career in what will continue to be a growing sector of our economy.
“We wanted to break the mould, and show young people what a fantastic industry this is and with the right skills and training we will give them the gift of being able to work anywhere in the world.
“We have had many young cooks come through our kitchen, some of whom have gone on to work in some of the world’s most renowned restaurants.”
Brian added: “I want to urge any young cook who has a real passion and determination to succeed in this industry to get in touch and apply for this amazing opportunity. No experience is necessary, but the right attitude is essential.”
The programme begins on September 1 and runs for 35 weeks. Students will spend three days a week in the Shu kitchen learning classical French and Modern European-inspired cooking, and the other two days at college, learning the theory and practical elements of the job within the Belfast Met curriculum.
Fiona Dempsey, head of Belfast Business School at Belfast Metropolitan College said: “Belfast Met is delighted to be once-again involved in this partnership with SHU Restaurant.
“Last year’s scheme was hugely successful and the two young chefs have immensely enjoyed their time there and to be offered a job at the end of it is the icing on the cake.
‘These apprentices will receive their City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in professional cookery, and of course the money-can’t-buy experience that they now have on their CV.
David Lariviere, from the Shu Apprentice Programme 2020 intake said: “This has been a fantastic experience for me and one which I know I will value so much as I progress in my career.
“I have learnt so much from Matt, Brian and the team and have now a real burning desire to continue to learn from the best in the business.
“I feel honoured to be offered a full-time job at the end of what has been a brilliant year of learning and creating and having fun with food and would encourage any young person with a love of food and cooking to apply.”
Application forms are now available. To apply for the chef apprenticeship programme email apprenticeship@shu-restaurant.com or visit https://www.shu-restaurant.com/chef-apprenticeship/
