Hospitality development platform, White Rabbit Projects, that operates the F&B outlets at Rusacks, St Andrews and Marine, North Berwick has launched a new training academy. The academy, in partnership with Leiths Food & Wine, aims to attract new talent to the kitchen and follows the launch of Leiths £750,000 grant scheme earlier this year to attract new talent in the wake of the challenges facing hospitality.
Budding chefs will train beside the skilled kitchen brigade at one of White Rabbit Project’s partnership hotel properties, which includes the two Scottish hotels, along with a fully funded place on Leiths 24-week Chef’s Skill Course.
Set up in 2016 by former Soho House Group Commercial Director Chris Miller, White Rabbit Projects support partners in creating bespoke, best in class hospitality experiences. First created with the goal to support early-stage chefs and restaurants to launch and grow their businesses, WRP aims to bring the industry back to its former glory by reinspiring chefs and showcasing the credibility and pride that comes from working in a professional kitchen. Their current portfolio comprises 34 sites.
Eight successful applicants will learn invaluable on-the-job skills with their Leiths training and mentorship. WRP will take care of all essential items including ingredients, equipment, and kitchen space, with a senior member of their kitchen brigade taking on a the 7-month mentor role.
Following graduation, one of the newly qualified chefs will be offered a fully funded two weeks stagier at a WRP partner restaurant of their choosing, which include the likes of Kricket, Lina Stores, Garden House, the Alice, ’18’,the Lawn and Island Poke. All graduates will have the opportunity to be hired as Chef de Parties and join the WRP family of restaurants.
White Rabbit Projects Founder, Chris Miller, says: “The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit throughout Covid-19, and unfortunately as a combined result with Brexit, despite lockdown lifting and restaurants returning to ‘normal’ the industry has continued to experience a nationwide staff shortage.
“It is the responsibility of restaurant owners to remind chefs of the excitement and passion that comes with working in a professional kitchen and add value to their careers with additional training. We’re delighted to work with the powerhouse that is Leiths to provide best in class training and the opportunity for budding chefs to join our family of restaurants.”
Camilla Schneideman, MD Leiths comments “As a cookery school at the heart of the sector, we canvassed the opinions of chefs and restaurant groups to establish how we could best serve the industry we take great pride in training people for at this time of staffing crisis.
“The one tool that we have in our armoury which can reach a large number of people is the range of Leiths online professional courses. The courses can be taken anywhere as long as you have kitchen space and a smartphone and can fit around shifts. We’re hugely excited to be supporting White Rabbit Projects in their inspiring iteration of the training alongside their teams.”
Applications close 31 October.