Fifteen Cornwall celebrated the graduation of its first 12 apprentices last week.

The Jamie Oliver inspired initiative, which started in January last year, selected 21 aspiring chefs from disadvantaged backgrounds to train at the Watergate Bay restaurant.

After an initial 12-week intensive training in food hygiene and preparation at the Cornwall College, the students moved on to the Fifteen restaurant, which opened last May, to train and work.

The 12 apprentices graduated with a NVQ level two qualification.

Head chef Neil Haydock said: “I feel honoured to have played a part in helping such a wonderful group of young people to change the path their lives were taking and use a passion for food to start a new career that is full of potential. 

“In Cornwall we’re so lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful producers of top quality ingredients and I hope that the philosophy of local sourcing will remain with students in their careers ahead.”

Fifteen Cornwall’s profits go to Cornwall Foundation of Promise, which was establish to support, train and guide young people to become chefs.

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