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Top chef launches catering apprentice academy in Halifax

A Michelin-trained chef has opened a hospitality and catering apprentice academy at Halifax’s historic Dean Clough Mill site.

Matthew Benson-Smith, a principal tutor and director at the site’s former cooking school, has launched the Chef Benson-Smith Academy to train aspiring chefs, bakers and managers for the catering industry. The academy is based in specially designed premises at the former textile manufacturing site and is operating Level 2-5 training programmes tailored to different clients.

Mr Benson-Smith built his reputation having trained at Ecole Lenotre in Paris before helping to convert Hazelwood Castle with his brother, former BBC MasterChef judge John Benson-Smith and then becoming head chef at Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate. He has also worked at the 5-star Landmark and Browns Hotels in London, as a World Curry Festival host and demonstrator and as chef to the UK Prime Minister.

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Mr Benson-Smith has since become a consultant assessor/examiner for City & Guilds of London Institute and a consultant assessor/examiner for Highfield Qualifications. Now he wants to help shape skilled professionals for hotels, restaurants, fishmongers, butchers and bakers.

Mr Benson-Smith said: “I am delighted to return to Dean Clough for this exciting venture that I feel is so important for the hospitality industry. My father was a steel business entrepreneur in Sheffield and often hosted dinner parties from which I was raised to appreciate good food. Both my brother John and I have forged great careers in the industry, and I want to inspire young people to do the same.

“Certainly, the industry needs some positive injection after a turbulent few years throughout the pandemic and other economic events, and putting skilled and motivated individuals directly into the business is our objective. Dean Clough provides the prefect environment to help inspire our apprentices to be the best that they can. There is a special quality about the place with an ownership team that engenders strong family values and community spirit. Good public transport accessible by foot is also an important attribute given that our apprentices travel from all over the UK.

“The feedback so far from both employers and apprentices has been exceptional. Not only do they value the focused training they’re receiving, they also enjoy the culture and environment of Dean Clough Mills.”

Jeremy Hall, chairman and managing director at Dean Clough Ltd, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Matthew and his team to Dean Clough. To be a host to such an accomplished operator working for the greater good of an ailing industry whilst supporting fledgling careers is reward indeed and we look forward to seeing some great achievements. Chef Benson-Smith is another fine example of our capacity to provide suitable space for a diverse range of occupiers.”

Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber

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