A London college has announced a new scholarship in the wake of criticism from the industry about the quality of hospitality training.

Westminster Kingsway College is offering a professional kitchen/larder scholarship for trainees in September this year to build on the success of its professional pƒtisserie scholarship launched in 2003.

The two-year programme was designed with partners such as the Ritz, Claridge's and Connaught hotels, which paid £1,500 towards the cost of each pupil. Students spend three weeks of every month working full time in industry and one week receiving intensive tuition in Westminster College's kitchens.

Geoff Booth, head of hospitality, said: "This intensive course is developed in conjunction with the industry to help us design a programme which provides the specific skills required by the industry today."