What did you want to do when you were at school/college?
Become a chef, as my mother and brothers were also chefs
How did you first get into the industry?
I went to Cumbernauld Collage for my 705, 706/1
Where did you go to find out information about careers in the industry?
As my mother was attending the same college I got info from her
What industry relevant qualifications/awards do you have?
705, 706/1, 706/2
Please briefly outline your career so far.
I worked in restaurants & hotels for 9yrs including Michelin Star and then contract catering for 11 years
What do you do in a typical day?
This new role is involving creating menus and building the company recipe database ensuring contracts (chefs) are taking ownership of the finances i.e. costing menus food production recording all transactions from start to finish to ensure tight budgets are meet,
What do you like most about your job?
Getting out meeting a number of chefs within our company and seeing the wide range of skills we have and identifying what assistance I can give to them,
What do you like the least about your job?
Travelling
What was your most memorable day at work?
Working with Jean Christophe Novelli and meeting a number of famous chefs who would stay at our hotel
Providing a Buffet in Manchester for Princess Diana
What do you think is great about your sector/the hospitality industry?
We provide amazing services to our sector the food standards are excellent especially with the tight budgets we have
What do you think could be improved in the sector/industry?
Working hours have improved already in most case’s personally I would like to see students being trained the old way i.e. city & guild cert spending a good deal of time at collage and getting a true understanding of their career
What are your tips to young people starting out in the industry?
Ensure you are 100% committed to our trade be prepared to work some long hours and listen to everyone as you will hear some great advise
What do you do in your spare time?
I run my sons football team Yateley Pumas under 9s