Tynemouth Metropolitan College and Jesmond Dene House are working together to produce Culinary Specialists
January 17 2012
Tyne Metropolitan College and Jesmond Dene House are Working Together to Produce Culinary Specialists
With the help of TyneMet College , Head Chef Michael Penaluna is building a professional team of chefs to work in his kitchen and to prepare culinary delights of a very high standard to be served in the award winning Restaurant (three AA Rosettes) at Jesmond Dene House.
TyneMet College now has four apprentices working in the prestigious award winning Restaurant in Jesmond Dene House.
Jesmond Dene House is a 19th century mansion and a Grade II listed building and has been tastefully and sympathetically restored to reflect its history. Located in Jesmond Dene, the luxury Hotel and Restaurant has a reputation for high standards, friendly staff and impeccable service.
Karl Azcarraga, 17 from Benwell, Alex Ridley, 16 from Whickham, Michael Traynor, 18 from Newbiggin Hall and Victor Smith, 22 from South Shields are the apprentices who were recruited by TyneMet to study on the Hospitality and Catering (Professional Cookery) Apprenticeship programme. The apprentices come to College one day per week to be taught the theoretical and practical skills of professional cookery. The rest of the week they work under the professional guidance of Michael Penaluna to gain hands on experience of working in the kitchen where they will be introduced to classic techniques and contemporary approaches to producing modern dishes.
Pat Blyth, Business Development Consultant, TyneMet College said:
“We’ve been training apprentices at Jesmond Dene House for a couple of years now. When Michael Penaluna took over as Head Chef eight months ago, he asked TyneMet to find him an apprentice. I advertised the vacancy for him, interviewed suitable candidates and then sent the apprentice on a one day’s trial to work in the kitchen to make sure that the potential apprentice and Michael understood exactly how the arrangement would work. Michael and his team were really pleased with this process and the apprentice settled in to working as part of a very busy and creative team.”
To ensure the smooth running of the apprenticeship programme, regular reviews and assessment led by the college took place. Michael was so impressed with the smooth running of the apprenticeship programme and the support he received from the College that he decided to add to his team and within two months, he had four apprentices working in his kitchen. He has recently indicated that he will be looking to take on other apprentices in the near future.
Pat adds: “TyneMet is delighted to be working with prestigious employers such as Jesmond Dene House and we are looking forward to continuing this partnership.”
Michael Penaluna, Head Chef, Jesmond Dene House, Restaurant, said:
“I currently have four chefs from TyneMet College working in the kitchen here at Jesmond Dene House who have been working with me now for six months. The young chefs were sourced by TyneMet College and to begin with, all were sent to Jesmond Dene House for a day’s trial to make sure that I was happy with their caliber before their work contracts began.
Not only does the college find the talented young chefs, but they also provide on-going support and carry out reviews with myself to make sure that I am happy with their work and progress within the kitchen.
I could not be happier with the four chefs I have at the moment, they work incredibly hard and have fitted into the team exceptionally well. I have found that they have excellent communication and time keeping skills and now play vital roles within the Jesmond Dene House kitchen team. From the start of employment, I noticed they all had excellent preparation skills and could work well under pressure, however in just six months I can see major improvements in the already high standard of skills displayed they also display a willingness and determination to learn and improve.
By working together with TyneMet College I am creating a very strong team and producing chefs to work to the highest standard possible as Jesmond Dene House generates some of the finest food in the North East.”
The current apprenticeship programme is fully subscribed and there is another planned to start at the beginning of February 2012.
