Apprentices poach tips from Marco Pierre White

Fifteen apprentice chefs from across the country attended a masterclass this morning with Michelin starred chef Marco Pierre White at his London restaurant ‘Wheelers'.

The fifteen budding chefs spent the morning in the kitchen at Wheelers learning how to prepare a range of dishes from the restaurant's a la carte menu, from Pierre White and his team.

An ex apprentice himself and the youngest chef ever to have been awarded three Michelin stars, Pierre White is a keen advocate of Apprenticeships, and recommends aspiring chefs to seriously consider taking one. So much so, he is now starring in a new advertising campaign for Apprenticeships.

It was a pleasure to meet the fifteen apprentices,' says Pierre White, who spent all morning with the apprentices. ‘In my opinion, an Apprenticeship is a passport to a future career. Apprenticeships are the future.'

The viral campaign consists of three films showing how Pierre White's life could have been without his Apprenticeship. The films feature him operating a burger van, a world away from the haute cuisine restaurants he usually inhabits. The films can be seen at: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

For the lucky fifteen, the masterclass has given them a day to remember. Throughout the morning, Pierre White gave an insight into his experience as an Apprentice, advising the youngsters on how enhance their prospects.

‘I am never going to forget this experience', says Rebecca Marshman, who is doing her Apprenticeship at Rules restaurant in Covent Garden. Marco chatted to us all – he's amazing! Doing this has enabled me to see how other people work, what other Apprenticeships are like and see what new skills I can learn. It's also confirmed that I am absolutely doing the right thing for me.'

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service described Marco as a shining light in the Apprenticeship community, adding that “Marco's success is proof of what Apprenticeships can do for young people. He is a great advocate for us and we are delighted he agreed to feature in our new campaign.'

Apprenticeships in hospitality are on the rise with 17,000 starting last year. The National Apprenticeship Service has over 8,000 live vacancies on its online matching service and 5000 employers have just signed up take on an unemployed 16 or 17 year old as part of AGE (Apprenticeship Grants for Employers). All young people are encouraged to consider the option of an Apprenticeship and should contact their local connexions office or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk for more information.

Posted Tuesday February 23^rd 2010
By Department for Children, Schools and Families