Blackpool-based creative agency Happy Creative have been helping Lancashire apprentices cook up a storm in the kitchen!
The group of 16 trainees from the Northcote Group will be presenting A Taste of the Future at Blackburn Cathedral over the next few months.
One of the apprentices showed their initiative to get ticket sales up by contacting Happy Creative for some help with marketing support.
Nigel Haworth and his team of executive chefs at Northcote have been overseeing the task but the menus are the work of his talented apprentices.
The project is entirely apprentice-led, offering the insight and experience of running a kitchen and restaurant, by organising, managing and delivering the series of events themselves.
Nigel said: “The apprentices have really embraced the challenges, each one has a particular skill and have faced up to everything that has been thrown at them. It’s quite a daunting task to be faced with; source and prepare a five-course meal based on classic county dishes. They have to do everything from scratch.
“But if they want to thrive in this industry then this is the sort of test they will have to live with.
“It’s interesting how the guys have developed their dishes and have responded to the task because this is really a side project, they still have to do the regular side of their jobs.
“They are eating, breathing and living with the responsibility of what it takes to be a great chef, I am proud of every one of them.”
Dan Carson, a first year apprentice at Northcote, said: “Being an apprentice at Northcote means you experience all areas of the kitchen and this has been a real test for everyone involved.
“A Taste of the Future is a chance for people to experience the next generation of Northcote chefs. Nigel and his team are great mentors and Northcote is very proud of the apprenticeship scheme they have created.
“This is our chance to present our ideas to show how we are the beating heart of a Michelin-starred kitchen and how we are developing as a team.”
Each team of apprentices have chosen to support a local charity as part of their task.
Karen Lambert, managing director of Happy Creative, said: “We were delighted to help out the apprentices with task.
“Lancashire prides itself on its culinary offering and dishes which are inspired by its produce. To see the chefs delivering these exciting menus is encouraging for the future of this industry.”
For more information on A Taste of the Future call 01254 260520 or visit www.cafenorthcote.com/events/a-taste-of-the-future
