What the graduates say... “BEFORE THE COURSE I HAD BEEN IN PRISON... MY MUM IS A GREAT COOK AND MY DAD WAS A CHEF BEFORE HE DIED SO IT’S IN MY BLOOD, I LEARNT LOADS AND IMPROVED MY SKILLS. I DISCOVERED NEW THINGS ABOUT MYSELF: THAT I CAN DEAL WITH PRESSURE, WITH NEW SITUATIONS AND THAT I CAN WORK WITH ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE AS PART OF A TEAM. I HAVE MADE NEW FRIENDSHIPS THAT I WILL NEVER LOSE.” Steven Estevez, 2009 graduate
“FIFTEEN GAVE ME THE SKILLS TO HAVE A CAREER DOING WHAT I WANTED TO DO. I’M SO GLAD I DID IT.” Joanne Reeves, 2006 graduate
“GOING TO FIFTEEN WAS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER DONE. I REALISED HOW GOOD I AM AT COOKING. I’VE GOT SO MUCH LOVE AND TIME FOR THE PEOPLE I MET AT FIFTEEN.” Lloyd Hayes, 2005 graduate
“I OWE FIFTEEN EVERYTHING. THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY. FOR EVERY QUESTION I HAD, THE CHEFS HAD THE RIGHT ANSWER. I LOVE THE PEOPLE AT FIFTEEN.” Tedros Hagos, 2009 graduate
“I AM LIVING PROOF OF THE POWER OF FIFTEEN. I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST APPRENTICES. FIFTEEN SORTED ME OUT AND GAVE ME A TRADE. I NOW MAKE MY LIVING AS A CHEF.” Ben Arthur, 2003 graduate
Charity it ain’t Fifteen graduates are now working at some top food destinations, as shown below. With hard-won reputations to consider, none of these restaurants have taken on Fifteen graduates as a favour. Graduates have these jobs because they’re talented chefs with great potential. It’s the same with work placements. If apprentices don’t pull their weight, fit into the smooth running of the kitchen and make a serious contribution, not one of these restaurants would continue to be involved with Fifteen.
...to name but a few!
Fifteen’s Apprentice Programme, part of the Jamie Oliver Foundation, registered charity number 1094536 15 Westland Place, London N1 7LP | T: +44 (0)20 3375 5502 | W: www.jamieoliver.com/foundation