APPRENTICES FROM Compass Group UK have raised £20,000 for charity as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Ten teams from the Compass academy were tasked with turning £200 into £2,000 and, following charity dinners, raffles, sports challenges and more initiatives, met their target.
The challenge was designed to help raise awareness of the work of Hospitality Action, the hospitality industry benevolent organisation, which provides vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK and find themselves in crisis.
Penny Moore, Hospitality Action, said she was hugely impressed by the hard work and dedication shown by the Compass Academy students. The range of innovative ideas the teams came up with were inspirational and this donation will go a long way in supporting those in need within the hospitality industry. This initiative also helped raise awareness of Hospitality Action and our work and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone that took part.”
The initiative was one of many taking place at Compass last week as part of National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 February). On Friday, for instance, Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton hosted an apprentice cook-off at the Compass Innovation Centre in Chertsey.
Jason Atherton prepared fillet of red mullet, samphire, cockles, roast potatoes in seaweed and prawn paella before members of Compass’ executive team each partnered an apprentice to recreate the dish. Atherton then judged the most successful team before guests at the event were treated to tasters of the cuisine.
“Britain has some exceptional chefs creating fantastic food, added Atherton. To ensure our industry continues to innovate and develop, fresh talent is essential and I believe apprenticeships play a vital part in this.”
