The Shire Food & Drink Academy

• Each year team members can apply to join a 2 year modular programme to develop their food and beverage service skills.
  
  There's on and off job learning, a mentor in the work place and a variety of external speakers including Michelin starred Chef, Steven Dougherty and Northcote's Craig Bancroft. The programme has been designed in conjunction with Kendal College and students will gain a recognised NVQ level 3 qualification with an opportunity to progress on to a Foundation Degree. And through our contacts in the trade we've got a very special graduation ceremony lined up - at the world renowned Louis Roederer Champagne house, in Epernay, France.
  
  It's open to anyone who works within the group - but with limited places each year - we expect competition to be fierce.

  Here is a list of our current students:
  
  2010/11 Intake:
  
  Claire Walsh, General Assistant at the North Lakes Hotel & Spa
  
  Lynette Hilman, Restaurant Supervisor at the North Lakes Hotel & Spa
  
  Mark Hill, Senior Chef de Partie at the Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
  
  Craig Duffy, Junior Sous Chef at the Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
  
  Kat Hopkins, General Assistant at the Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
  
  Samantha Taylor, Food & Beverage Supervisor at Penny Street Bridge Hotel
  
  Laura Stoyle, General Assistant at the Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa
  
  Esther Yapp, Food & Beverage Supervisor at the Aztec Hotel & Spa
  
  Angelique Retief, Bar manager at the Aztec Hotel & Spa
  
  Caroline Bird, Assistant Restaurant Manager at the Solent Hotel & Spa