Applicants will need to provide proof of household income and savings so we can assess your eligibility for any award.
We also maintain a list of local rooms and accommodation providers that can offer local accommodation and are happy to help place you in suitable accommodation. Please
Finlake offers a wealth of activities to help you relax after your training in the kitchen. Start the day with an early morning swim in the heated indoor pool, keep fit in the extensive fitness room, or enjoy one of the many woodland walks. Enjoy a fresh coffee in the park cafe, or unwind with a drink in the bar and restaurant with friends.
David's career spans 25 years working at the Savoy Hotel before joining the Four Ways Inn and Waterside Restaurant in Bermuda. He became Sous Chef at the 5 star Imperial Hotel in Torquay before opening his own successful restaurant, Gardiner's in Budleigh Salterton, making the Michelin Guide. Following the sale of his restaurant in 2007, David joined Brend Hotels as Executive Chef before joining us in 2011.
Phil's career began at London's Grosvenor House Hotel followed by the RAC Club. Before joining Ashburton Cookery School in 2010, Phil was Product Development Chef at The Ark Chicken Company and previous to that he was Chef Lecturer at Exeter College. He now combines his enthusiasm for inspiring students with his passion for cooking local produce.
Monisha is a qualified chef, tv personality and successful author of several best selling books on Indian Cookery including cookery book of the year,
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Ashburton Chefs Academy
Graduating from the Ashburton Chefs Academy equips you with the fundamental skills and techniques required to work as a professional chef. Past graduates have achieved great success in commercial kitchens, and have found their Ashburton training has opened the door to some of the best kitchens in Europe, fast-tracking their career progression by years.
Ashburton Chefs Academy gave me the skills necessary to work anywhere in a professional kitchen although nothing can prepare you for a real mise en place, and the buzz of service – there’s just nothing on earth like it.
2. Running your own catering businesses
For those that are planning to run their own hospitality or catering business, the Chefs Academy can provide vital experience and preparation. Graduates Sarah returned to her native Montserrat to take over the running of Olveston House and Nicola took charge of family hotel business The Marle in Milton Keynes where she caters for functions and weddings. Charles graduated with plans to open his own patisserie in London later this summer and Howard is currently evaluating business opportunities in the luxury hospitality sector.
Amanda enjoyed the cookery school life so much that she joined a leading culinary school and catering company in Cape Town, South Africa.
Ashburton Chefs Academy has given me the most outstanding grounding for this job, I really cannot fault my training. Our time in the kitchen have given me an eagle eye in my own kitchen and I cannot accept anything less than perfection. There is not a day that goes by when I don't thank my lucky stars I took the leap and trained at Ashburton.
“The range of opportunities in our industry is unrivalled and I am very proud that the Chefs Academy has given these students the chance to follow their dreams” says Darrin Hosegrove, Chef Director. “These graduates demonstrate the exciting, life-changing opportunities available for those serious about a career in hospitality and catering. You too can lay the foundations for future success at the Ashburton Chefs Academy.”
Fritha Lambert is packing her bags once again. She’s used to jetting off across Europe at a moment’s notice, arriving at a city apartment where she’ll stay for a few weeks at a time, cooking beautiful dishes which are then transported across town to wherever her boss happens to be working. 'I’d never have thought I’d end up doing something like this!' she says.
‘We also learned practical advice about being in a big kitchen - like making sure you get all your equipment out the night before and hide it somewhere in your area so you can get going first thing. It really made the difference when I started work, especially coming in at 7.30am when everyone would be crammed around the equipment cupboards.’
Despite the hardships, Fritha’s passion for cooking continued and eventually she made the decision to set up her own catering business. All was great, but it was about to get even better, after Ashburton contacted her about an intriguing private chef position.
‘Someone had approached the school about a private chef position and they sent the details on to me.’ Fritha had to jump through several hoops including cooking for the potential employer’s personal assistant, then making specific dishes for sampling. ‘And all this time I had no idea who the boss was!’ she smiles. ‘When I found out I’d got the job I put the phone down and danced around the house screaming with excitement. And of course I called my mum.’
Meeting the suppliers, such as Sladesdown Farm and seeing where the products we were using came from has taught me to treat my ingredients with a lot more respect and the guest chefs, Angus from the Holt and Tim from Ode were truly inspiring in their passion for what they are doing.
I’d say if anyone is thinking about entering a career in catering, don’t live with the regret of not having given it a try. Chef’s school is also a brilliant way to hone your skills, and gain the professional qualifications to help you progress rapidly within the industry and get jobs in kitchens that suit your personality and how you like to cook – and I can’t imagine you’ll find a much better place to study than Ashburton.
I love to cook and always dreamt of opening my own little food business, but felt too under-qualified to succeed. But being a Mom, taking the time out to study for most professional cookery courses would have been too much of a sacrifice – the Ashburton course was the perfect length for me. The course has given me confidence in myself, as a leader and as a cook and the knowledge I can do well in the industry.
