Malmaison and Hotel du Vin to sign up 33 apprentices

The two boutique brands, which are owned by Frasers Hospitality Group, are working with HIT Training to provide more training opportunities for young chefs.

With an average kitchen brigade of nine chefs across the 13 Malmaison and 16 Hotel de Vin properties, the apprentices will work closely with the head chefs of each hotel during the 18-month scheme. They will also work with John Woodward, executive chef of Malmaison, and Matt Powell, chef director at Hotel du Vin (both pictured).

Lindsay Southward, group director of people and development, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, said, "Our stylish brasseries and bistros are at the heart of our hotels, and so bringing fresh talent into our kitchens is a big priority for us. With a growing skills gap in the catering sector, our programme is designed to encourage a new generation into the industry, instilling the sense of creativity that fills our kitchens."

Jill Whittaker, managing director of HIT Training, praised Malmaison and Hotel du Vin for its commitment to ongoing apprenticeship programmes. "With 50% of kitchens struggling to fill vacancies, apprenticeships are a practical solution to the skills shortage in the industry.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin are offering the opportunity for those interested in applying to meet the head chef at their local hotel.

Malmaison and Hotel du Vin are set to expand with the addition of a hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon to the Hotel du Vin portfolio next year. Four hotels acquired at the end of last year in Brighton, Bristol, Cheltenham and Exeter from Swire Properties Hotels Holdings will be rebranded to one of the two brands later this year.

Frasers Hospitality confirms £36m purchase of four hotels >>
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin sold for £363m