Frying high with apprentice Hollie Hutton A case study highlighting how enthusiastic apprentice Hollie Hutton is thriving at an award-winning fish and chip shop in Bradford
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espite being served in the UK for over 160 years, it’s not easy to create the perfect fish and chips. Training, knowledge and experience all feed into crafting a tasty plate
of the iconic British dish. One person honing their fish frying abilities is Hollie
Hutton. Located in Idle, Bradford in West Yorkshire, you’ll find Hollie working as part of a team at the award-winning fish and chip shop, Towngate Fisheries. Four years ago, Hollie started a part time job at Towngate Fisheries aged 16, while studying A-levels at school. In the summer of 2020, Hollie was due to take her A-level exams but the Covid pandemic unfortunately had other plans. Hollie couldn’t complete her exams and was awarded grades by teacher assessment. At this point, Hollie decided not to go to university and kept working at the fish and chip shop. Mark Drummond, the owner of Towngate Fisheries, saw her potential, so encouraged Hollie to take the next step in her career and pointed her towards the opportunities available with a Level 3 apprenticeship. Hollie felt that the
she wouldn’t have encountered without the help of her apprenticeship. Hollie feels positive about the experience, with the apprenticeship also allowing her to:
apprenticeship, combined with the support of the chip
• Being more mature and confident in her job role;
shop, would help her to understand her new job role as a
• Develop her ability to be a team leader and to train
fish frier. It would also be a positive step towards a longterm future of a career in hospitality. “Having an apprentice working in the business has helped
others in their role; • Learn new skills and knowledge relevant to her job; • Discover aspects of other hospitality industries.
develop staff training systems. We hope that Hollie will
“From the age of 16 I have been working my way up within
continue to work at Towngate Fisheries after completing
the shop, going from the role of counter staff to now
her apprenticeship. It gives us something to promote on
preparing food, frying independently and being the leader
our social media and helps show we are a professional
on many shifts. My goals for the future include gaining
business with high standards.” Mark Drummond, Owner of
more experience in the fish and chip industry and hopefully
Towngate Fisheries
one day owning a shop of my own. With great mentors
Initially due to Covid-19, the Level 3 Senior Production
like Mark and Joanne (manager at Towngate Fisheries), I
Chef apprenticeship was delivered remotely with regular
believe this is more than achievable in the future.” Hollie
sessions via zoom. However, thanks to the easing of
Hutton, Apprentice Fish Frier
restrictions in 2022, Hollie has been able to showcase
For further information and advice on fish frying
her skills in person to her tutor, as well as learn valuable
apprenticeships, please email the Seafish Onshore Training
techniques, for example how to fillet whole fish, something
team, email onshore@seafish.co.uk.
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Fastfood Professional • June and July 2022
June and July 2022 • Fastfood Professional
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