Thames Valley University is hosting the Compass Junior Chefs' Academy as a training programme to attract and develop young talent into the hospitality sector. The aim is to bridge the gap between school children, further education and industry. The 15-week course takes place on Saturday mornings and provides students aged 12-16 years old with a basic grounding in food preparation and cooking.

 

The programme, which was initially developed by Compass in conjunction with Thames Valley University in 2002, currently operates in five other colleges too. The colleges provide facilities free of charge as Compass funds the scheme, covering teaching and technician fees, uniforms and laundry, marketing and administration costs. Students pay £5 per week to cover food costs.

Members of the multi-award winning Compass international culinary team attend to coach these potential new industry recruits alongside college staff, and graduations are patronised by Craft Guild of Chefs members and celebrity chefs such as Brian Turner, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Ainsley Harriott.