Simon Rogan, the chef behind Michelin acclaimed restaurant L’Enclume, is launching a new culinary academy in collaboration with Kendal College.

The Simon Rogan Academy is now recruiting its first cohort of students. Initially, up to 14 student places are available for those aged 16 years and above and who are resident in the UK.

The course runs for 18 months, culminating in a fully expensed week-long stagiaire at Roganic, Simon’s one Michelin starred restaurant in Hong Kong - with all flights and hotel accommodation paid for.

Simon said: ‘’I’ve established the Simon Rogan Academy as a way of doing something positive to help try to fill this skills gap in the hospitality sector. I’ve chosen to work closely with Kendal College, who share the same values and requirements for excellence that I do to ensure that students achieve their potential. I also want to show people that choosing a career in hospitality is an exciting prospect, one that can literally take them anywhere in the world.’’

During the course, students will work across Simon’s Lake District restaurant kitchens for four days a week and have the opportunity to work first hand with the team including growing produce at Our Farm, Simon’s farm close to Cartmel.

One day per week will be spent at Kendal College to attain an accredited level 2 City & Guilds qualification.

Richard Axford at Kendal College, said: ‘’This is a ground-breaking moment for the Cumbrian hospitality industry, as this course offers a fantastic opportunity to work with Simon and his team, whilst training at our state-of-the-art training facility.”