BUTLIN’S in Minehead has launched a new chef academy with a year-long programme giving ambitious chefs the platform to get into the industry and gain a professional qualification.

It will have four cohorts of 12 students a year with programmes starting in March, April, June and September. Roles will be available at all three Butlin’s resorts - Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness.

The course starts with two weeks of training in a purpose-built test kitchen close to the Minehead resort. Chefs will be introduced to practical kitchen skills by training in a professional kitchen environment.

This is followed by on-resort coaching where the chefs will work in up to five different restaurants, developing skills to be flexible in a range of kitchens. A mentor will be assigned to each chef who will regularly check their progress and support them.

The academy will also feature five week-long skills and knowledge masterclasses in which Butlin’s has partnered with industry experts such as McCains, Billingsgate Fish Market and Birtwhistles.

This higher-skills training will start with a two-day experience of a particular food theme, developing each chef’s culinary skills in which they will need to plan, order and execute a menu based on their theme.

Toby Hill, senior development chef at Butlin’s, said: “We’re delighted to be launching the very first Butlin’s Chef Academy.

“This has been years in the making and is the perfect platform for anyone wanting to get into the industry. It gives a real potential for growth and development in the kitchen.”