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A MERSEYSIDE chef is highlighting the values of adult apprenticeships after making a radical move from banking to fine dining.
Chad Hughes, from Holywell, worked at HBOS’s Chester headquarters for six years as a call centre team manager.
However after becoming disillusioned with the job, the 34-year-old decided to follow his passion for cooking.
But Chad is now a chef at the 3 AA Rosette award winning The Lawns Restaurant in Thornton Hough, Wirral, having completed an apprenticeship and work placements at a range of Michelin starred venues.
The chef said: "I worked at HBOS for quite a few years on the phones, selling financial products that I didn’t believe in.
"From there I went to Iceland Foods as a customer service team leader in Deeside but again my heart wasn’t in it.
"When I was 32 I finally decided to follow my dream and started an apprenticeship at The Grosvenor in Chester.
"Most people think of apprenticeships being for school leavers but there are routes for people of all ages if they want to re-skill or start in a different industry.
"My apprenticeship was a godsend in helping me to gain the hands-on, practical experience I needed to train and qualify as a chef.
"Working at a Michelin starred restaurant was also a great experience.
"I gained a lot of knowledge and developed my skills set during my apprenticeship.
" would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to change their career or starting out and wanting to learn the basics of the industry."
Chad completed his chef's apprenticeship in ten months instead of the allocated 18 gaining an NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery.
The apprenticeship program allowed Chad to gain valuable experience and to learn all of the basics for fine dining, which he is now applying at The Lawns Restaurant.
During his time at The Grosvenor, Chad met The Lawns’ executive chef David Gillmore, then working as Senior-Sous-Chef.
Chad said: "I built a great relationship with David and was sad to see him go when he left for The Lawns."
"So when he offered me a job working with him I jumped at the chance.
"David was a real mentor to me as an apprentice and it is something that really stuck with me.
"We now have a couple of apprentices in the kitchen and I am trying to offer as much advice and support as I was given.
"The Lawns Restaurant being awarded its third AA rosette in September was a particular highlight of my career so far.
"I always try to keep abreast of fine dining and carry out wider reading and research to help flame my creativity.
"I am reading Marcus Wareing's 'One Perfect Ingredient' cookbook at the moment which has inspired me to want to learn more."
David Gillmore said: "I am delighted to be working alongside Chad again.
"Since meeting Chad at The Grosvenor he has always expressed his passion and enthusiasm for food and new ideas, creating innovative dishes and contributing greatly to our proud new menus.
"Thornton Hall Hotel has a great track record of taking on and developing apprentices, and I believe that it is the best way of kick-starting a career in our industry.
"Of ten of us in the kitchen at The Lawns, six began as apprentices, including myself."
For more information or to book visit www.lawnsrestaurant.co.uk or call Thornton Hall Hotel on 0151 336 3938.
