Local chef's search for next apprentice begins

Saturday 14 May 2016

One of the Island's top chefs is on the hunt for a new apprentice to train up in his Michelin-starred restaurant over the next three years.

Shaun Rankin, Chef Proprietor of Ormer in Don Street, plans to take a new candidate under his wing in September and teach them the trade.

Shaun said: “At the age of 16, I left school and started my culinary career with an apprenticeship at The Mayfair Hotel in London, which got me to where I am today.

“The apprenticeship scheme at Ormer is really important to me because it means I can give other people the same opportunity I was given. There is a great pool of talent out there and opportunities like this are crucial to encourage local people to consider the hospitality industry as a career."

Tom Radiguet was the first apprentice to start training with Shaun three years ago, spending the week cooking in the Ormer kitchen while doing his qualifications at Highlands College. Now 18, he's been promoted to Demi Chef de Partie.

Shaun said: “Tom has been a great asset to the Ormer team. It’s been a privilege to support his training and see him develop into the chef he is today. He has come so far at such a young age and excelled way ahead of his peers. As Demi Chef de Partie, Tom will now have the chance to gain further experience with the Ormer team and take on new opportunities with my projects in London. I look forward to supporting Tom in the next stage of his career and welcoming a new apprentice to our team.”

Tom said: "The apprenticeship with Shaun has been an invaluable experience. Not only has it helped me to mature massively, it has also given me the opportunity to develop my skills in a busy kitchen, alongside some of the very best chefs who prepare Michelin star food.

"I now have far more confidence in the kitchen and have been promoted to Demi Chef de Partie, meaning I will be able to take on more responsibility and push my skills further. It will be good to meet the next apprentice and show him the ropes in the kitchen!"

If you think you have what it takes to be Sean's new apprentice and are between 15 and 25-years-old and locally qualified, send your CV and up to 500 words explaining why you want to be considered to laura@getrefined.com by the end of July.