Gordon Ramsay reveals location of first chef academy

Gordon Ramsay has revealed the location of his first "chef academy", a venture first reported by Caterersearch in January.

The multi-Michelin starred Gordon Ramsay has teamed up with Absolute Taste owner Lyndy Redding to buy the Tante Marie School of Cookery in Surrey, along with Andrew Maxwell.

Maxwell, who is currently assistant to the principal at the school, will take over as principal as part of the deal replacing Marcella O' Donovan.

Ramsay "jumped at the chance" to buy the cordon bleu school of cookery after Redding approached him when the previous owners decided they wanted to move on.

At 50 years in the business Tante Marie is one of the oldest cookery schools in the UK and runs diploma and certificate courses in cordon bleu cooking for school leavers and those pursuing a change in career.

Ramsay and Absolute Taste's chefs plan to offer advice and teach classes at the school alongside the current teachers.

Executive chef for Gordon Ramsay, Mark Askew, will also be involved looking at the courses and encouraging students, according to Redding.

Redding, who trained at the school, said: "Having trained at Tante Marie myself I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to a new generation and ensure it always operates within a contemporary framework. We are in desperate need of good solid training and new talent amongst the industry and we want to be part of that and spot talent early on."

Speaking at the official launch of Maze Prague at the start of this year, Ramsay said he intended to set up a chef academy to address the poor standard of catering college education in the UK.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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