Cucina Grows its Own People
Catering expert Cucina has started training its first recruit at their new Academy for school leavers.
Dom Turner, a former pupil at Esher High School in Surrey, has started his year’s training with Cucina Head Chef Andy Wilcock. Dominic, who lives in Cobham in Surrey, travels on his moped to work at Cucina’s restaurant at Teddington School in Middlesex, where Andy is guiding Dom through an NVQ in Catering.
Dom, 16, had work experience with Cucina Executive Head Chef Ian Morgan whilst n Year 10 at Esher High School and then continued cooking at Wildwood Italian restaurant in Cobham after completing his GCSE’s.
Dom’s daily routine involves riding his scooter to Teddington School where he works from 7am to 4pm, following in the tyre tracks of scooter nut Ian Morgan. Dom is currently preparing sandwiches, cooking meats and pastas as a Commis Chef, part of his on-the-job training.
Steve Quinn, Managing Director of Cucina, said:
“We are proud to be giving something back to the pupils at our Schools and Academies. We have contracts at four Academies now up and down the country, so it seems fitting to establish our own Academy where pupils who have tasted our fresh food over a number of years can enhance their culinary skills with on-the job training at one of our restaurants. Dom is a great example of someone who has sometimes struggled to find his next direction after leaving School but has now found what he wants to do. He has always has a passion for cooking and we are more than happy to harness that passion at Cucina, to help Dom’s dreams become a reality, whilst also strengthening our own teams. Well done Dom and we look forward to seeing you grow within Cucina. We aim to roll out our Academy across our 30 restaurants nationwide, with Harefield Academy in Middlesex being particularly interested.”
Dom, whose passion for catering grew from an early age as his Dad owned pubs and hotels, added:
“I am over the moon to have had this opportunity with Cucina and very grateful to Steve Quinn, Sam, Andy, Ian and all the Cucina team. My aspirations at Cucina are to get as much experience in every part of the kitchen. I dream of being a top chef and have set a target of having my own restaurant in ten years. I could get that dream by working with Cucina and getting as much experience as possible. Cooking is like a hobby for me, as I enjoy it so much I don’t see it as work. Every time I am on my scooter to work in the morning, I think about what I am going to learn next and how I can get quicker at what I do. I feel very special being at the start of Cucina’s Academy and hope that other people can do this as well; it’s really good to be supported by Cucina.”
Andy Wilcock added:
“Dom is learning how important every part of the team here is. Everyone at the kitchen is as important as everyone else – if Dom gets these values instilled he’ll never have a problem for the rest of his life.”
Cucina Restaurants Ltd. serves fresh food to more than 25,000 pupils at 30 restaurants up and down the country and is committed to providing quality, healthy meals at all schools.
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Cucina Restaurants Ltd. was founded by Steve Quinn, a food and support services professional with 26 years experience within the industry, working with international hotel groups such as Rank, Thistle, Hilton and Concorde (in France), as well as contract catering firms Sodexho (formerly Gardner Merchant) and the Compass Group. Steve works with a team of top chefs and professionals to ensure that his vision of great food is truly embraced and delivered.
Cucina provides restaurant quality food and have installed professional chefs to run its operations at the new contracts.
All food is made from scratch in Cucina’s kitchens with chef theatre, ranging from homemade breads, fresh soups, delicious yoghurts, wholesome sandwiches and salads to fresh pizzas baked in professional pizza ovens. Cucina even makes their own tomato ketchup and mango chutney and are constantly updating their menus incorporating stealthy eating and fresh ingredients to keep pupils and staff happy at all restaurants.
For Cucina’s top recipes:
www.marketingprojects.co.uk/news/cucina/news/recipes-from-cucina
Steve Quinn is a consultant on the School Food Trust’s Caterer’s Forum. More information at: http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/school-cooks-caterers/for-school-cooks-caterers/caterers-forum
Please view the website for press releases or photos which are available on request at www.marketingprojects.co.uk/news/cucina in Cucina’s press office there.
Press Office: Marketing Projects Tel: 01244 330000
Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705
info@marketingprojects.co.uk www.marketingprojects.co.uk
Client Contact: Cucina Restaurants Ltd Tel: 0845 3891320
Steve Quinn Email: steve@cucina.co.uk
Managing Director Website: www.cucina.co.uk
