Local hospitality recruiters recognise chefs at annual conference

East Lancashire-based hospitality recruitment business, Chefs Jobs UK, hosted its annual Chefs Conference on Tuesday January 19 within state of the art catering facilities at Accrington and Rossendale College.

The conference which included a presentation on “The Future of Food” from Manchester based Chef Consultant John Benson-Smith, a Master Chef of Great Britain since 1985 and voted in the top 50 ‘most influential & important Hospitality Caterers’.

Thirty interim chefs were selected from their 200 strong brigade who work regularly across the country for the consultancy which is part of the Cummins Mellor Group.

The Chefs were pitted against each other in a cook-off judged by John, Chefs Jobs UK chairman and former general manager of the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Richard Mellor along with Sue Taylor, Accrington and Rossendale College Principal.

A handful of Chefs were also recognised in an awards ceremony which paid tribute to ‘Best Newcomer’, ‘Going the Extra Mile’, ‘Chef of the Year’ and ‘Special Recognition’.

Commenting on the event, Michelle Mellor, managing director of Chefs Jobs UK, said: “It’s fantastic that we have such world class facilities on our doorstep in Accrington and I’m absolutely thrilled that we could include the students in the event, giving them all the opportunity to gain such a valuable insight into the industry they are clearly so passionate about working in.

"I’d like to thank Accrington and Rossendale College Principal Sue Taylor and her team for their support throughout the day, both students and staff have been incredibly helpful.

"It’s more important than ever that the contribution our Chefs make to our business and the industry as a whole is recognised and rewarded, given the topical Chefs shortage currently facing the hospitality sector. "Our Interim Chefs always have been and will remain very much an extension of our very own Accrington based office and the values and culture we work so hard to maintain. It’s important the Chefs are given every opportunity to stay informed and involved in the future of the business and the industry they love to work in which will undoubtedly contribute to our continued growth and success.”