Blanc and Boris rally trade for apprentices

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc has joined forces with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to get the hospitality sector to take on more young apprentices.

A perfect match? Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and Mayor of London Boris Johnson

Blanc, who has two Michelin stars at his flagship Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford, has got the ball rolling by taking on 21 apprentices at his Brasserie Blanc chain, which boasts sites in London and across the UK.

“It’s fantastic to have someone of Raymond’s calibre spearheading our drive to help the hospitality industry wake up to the power of apprenticeships,” said Johnson.

The catering and hospitality sector employs around 300,000 people in London alone, with both Blanc and Johnson believing that there is “huge potential” for food and drink businesses to introduce more young people to the industry.

“It is vital that the restaurant and hospitality sector has homegrown talent to develop the necessary skills for the future,” said Blanc.

“I am self-taught and it was hard – I longed for a mentor to guide me through my career, so I’m 100% behind the Mayor’s drive to bring as many young people into our business and give them the best chance to excel,” he added.

The apprentices will work in a range of roles, as both trainee chefs and front of house staff.

Aged between 16-19, the apprentices will be assigned a mentor within the business and will be supported by the De Vere Training Academy.

The programme will be split into modules, with each apprentice receiving a certificate on completion.