Eight out of 10 schoolchildren who took part in a cookery academy sponsored by contract caterer Compass have been inspired to join full-time hospitality courses.
The Saturday Cooking Academy was set up at Thames Valley University to give 16-year-olds experience of cooking for the industry.
The number of students attending the 11-week course has grown from 12 to 80 in just two years and the scheme has extended to the Birmingham College of Food, Westminster Kingsway College, and Waltham Forrest College, all with sponsorship from Compass.
Mike Stapleton, corporate affairs manager for Compass, said: "The concept has clearly demonstrated that we can encourage people into the industry by giving them a taste of it at the career decision stage."