Recognising his hard work and determination, Hospitality & Catering apprentice at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, Mark Curran, was presented with the Apprentice of the Year accolade at the Wakefield Business Awards 2024.
The judges praised Mark for the resilience and determination he showed throughout his studies, which saw him continuously develop and refine his skills as a Level 2 Commis Chef apprentice.
Mark said:
“I put a lot of hours into my studies and building my skills, so it’s really nice to have my hard work recognised with this award. I’m able to put these skills, as well as the knowledge and advice I gained through my Apprenticeship, into practice every day in the bakery – which has been particularly useful when it comes to using my knife skills, ordering and managing stock and health and safety. I was initially quite nervous to start an Apprenticeship at 26, but it’s given me confidence in my abilities and myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I now get to do what I love every day, creating pastries that make people happy.”
During his Apprenticeship, Mark was fully work-based with his employer, Fish & Forest in York. As one of three chefs at the restaurant, Mark played a pivotal role in delivering the restaurant’s high-quality menu and service.
Overseeing the restaurant’s starters and desserts, Mark was able to exercise the skills he learned through his Apprenticeship in a professional cooking environment – giving him the confidence to put forward his own ideas for the menu.
This is also where Mark discovered his love for patisserie, desserts and breads, with him now exploring this further in a new full-time role at the Heppni Bakeri in York.
Mark’s assessor, Chloe Walshaw, said:
“As a mature apprentice, Mark is a shining example of why you should always follow your dreams and that it's never too late to learn. He worked incredibly hard to hone his skills and implement them in a fast-paced environment such as Fish & Forest, which has evidently paid off, as he’s now an experienced and confident chef after completing his Apprenticeship with a Distinction. As his assessor, there’s nothing more rewarding to see Mark following his passion and thriving in his new role.”
As part of the Apprenticeship, Mark used his creativity to produce a recipe log of dishes, including meat, fish, poultry, shellfish, hot and cold desserts, sauces and dough.
The Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship is designed to provide apprentices with the skills and knowledge to successfully start their careers in the Hospitality & Catering industry.
Learn more about the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship, here.