Young Lancaster and Morecambe chefs let loose on Lake District restaurant for the night

Young chefs from Lancaster and Morecambe have been given the opportunity to run their own restaurant for a night.
Culinary Academy Matt Lemm (left) hard at work in the kitchen with Ashley Brannigan.jpgCulinary Academy Matt Lemm (left) hard at work in the kitchen with Ashley Brannigan.jpg
Culinary Academy Matt Lemm (left) hard at work in the kitchen with Ashley Brannigan.jpg

Three apprentice commis chefs from Lancashire and Cumbria stepped in to take charge of the menu and cook for the diners at Blue Smoke on the Bay on the shores of Windermere.

The career experience initiative was set up as part of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues’ ‘Culinary Academy’ to showcase the skills of trainee chefs Matthew Lemm, 19, from Lancaster, Ashley Brannigan, 25, from Morecambe and Jack Muir, 18, from Ambleside.

Culinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay Matt Lemm with award wiining chef Steven Doherty 2.jpgCulinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay Matt Lemm with award wiining chef Steven Doherty 2.jpg
Culinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay Matt Lemm with award wiining chef Steven Doherty 2.jpg
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The special menu for the night featured wood grilled Monkfish steak with a Thai curry sauce and roasted aged sirloin with a red wine shallot sauce. Starters included a twice baked cheese soufflé on creamy leeks with wild mushrooms and Lancashire cheese, whilst the youngsters produced an array of desserts such as Tunisian style orange and almond cake.

Matthew said: “The opportunity to learn from leading local chef Steven Doherty as part of my role with English Lakes Hotels was a big part of why I applied to be on the Culinary Academy scheme.

“When Blue Smoke on the Bay opened, I moved there to continue my learning under head chef Tyrone Blake. I’ve also learnt a lot from him, not least the skill of taking your time to ensure that you never compromise the quality of the food you are preparing.

“The chance to devise and deliver the menu at the restaurant for a night and take real time responsibility for it all was incredibly rewarding.”

Culinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay.jpgCulinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay.jpg
Culinary Academy apprentices take over Blue Smoke on the Bay.jpg
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The Culinary Academy is a two year apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with multi-award winning chef Steven Doherty and Kendal College, which trains the youngsters to become commis chefs.

It is fully accredited to deliver the commis chef apprenticeship standard approved by the Government. The initiative involves working under the watchful eye of the hotel group’s own head chefs at award-winning venues, with one day per week dedicated to offsite training with Mr Doherty.

Steven Doherty adds: “Putting Matthew, Ashley and Jack in charge of the restaurant menu for the night is a watershed moment for them all and should pave the way for future recruitment and meaningful training.

“It’s been a wonderful and privileged journey for me to train the entire group.”

Culinary Academy - Ashley Brannigan with Steven Doherty.jpgCulinary Academy - Ashley Brannigan with Steven Doherty.jpg
Culinary Academy - Ashley Brannigan with Steven Doherty.jpg
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“With the new work based training and accreditation, who knows what stars of the future we may have helped to create within the hotel group’s kitchens.”

For further information the English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues Culinary Academy, email Val Still at [email protected] or visit englishlakes.co.uk/jobs/culinary-academy and complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Blue Smoke on the Bay is one of the Lake District’s newest dining destinations and part of the £20 million redevelopment of Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa.