HIT Training Launches Free Workshops to Help Close the Chef Skills Gap in the Capital


The London-based workshops launched on National Hospitality Day, Saturday 18th September, with a street-food themed event, with dishes being donated to locals in need.

Aspiring chefs will be given a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional kitchen thanks to national hospitality provider, HIT Training, which has launched a series of free workshops in collaboration with Hospitality Pathways.

As the UK faces a vacancy crisis, with a shortage of almost 30,000 chefs, the free workshops will give people working in London the opportunity to earn their whites as a chef, gaining a handful of transferable skills in the process, from basic knife techniques to food safety.

Hosted by the HIT Training Chef Academy, the series aims to showcase the exciting career prospects in hospitality and encourage more people to consider reskilling as chefs.

The workshops are open to people currently in work with a passion for cooking and a desire to discover the amazing opportunities available in the hospitality sector. To be eligible, attendees will need to be currently employed in London and legally residing in the UK.

The London-based workshops launched on National Hospitality Day, Saturday 18th September, at St Luke’s Community Centre, with a street food themed event aimed at inspiring local children to consider a career in the hospitality industry.

The budding young chefs not only enjoyed a real-life experience of working in a bustling street food kitchen, they also had the opportunity to learn how to create a selection of dishes from cultures across the globe, and discover new career opportunities for when they leave school.

HIT Training ensured that no food went to waste on the day, donating all 1,100 portions of food created to those in need in the local community, including Foodbanks, women’s refuge, homeless shelters and youth clubs.

The leading specialist training and apprenticeship provider has also pledged that for every person who completes the Pathways Programme over the next two years, it will make a donation to Hospitality Action.

The HIT Training Chef Academy workshops will be supported by Hospitality Action, Springboard, UKHospitality, and the Institute of Hospitality in London.

Paul Mannering, Principal of the HIT Chef Academy, commented:

“It’s a real pleasure to work with Hospitality Pathways alongside our supporting partners to bring these workshops to aspiring chefs. Each session is designed to give them a real taste of what life is like as part of a production line and help them explore the options available to them.

“Attendees will be given a huge opportunity to learn from experienced food production chefs who can share their own personal experiences, give hands-on demonstrations, and answer their questions about starting their journey as a chef. It’s an extremely valuable event and I’d encourage as many people as possible to apply.”

Those interested in attending one of the free HIT Chef Academy workshops should apply via the HIT Training website: https://hittraining.co.uk/


Rising stars named in prestigious Young National Chef of the Year semi-final line-up

HIT Training Ltd. Publishes White Paper on Apprenticeship Reforms and Workforce Development

It’s ‘Time to Talk’

How the ‘Mini-Budget’ Supports Employers, Training and Skills Development

HIT Training Ltd announces new Managing Director Mike Worley

How to Inspire Young People to Choose a Career in Hospitality

‘The Super Six’ Unveiled

HIT Training Elevates Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion by Becoming Patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance

HIT Training develops UK’s first Level 5 Hospitality Operations Manager Apprenticeship

HIT Training Ltd scoops the award for Best Training Provider at the prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards

HIT Training Recognised at the Foodservice Cateys 2018

The Benefits of Learning at Work for your Business and Workforce

Integrating Plant Based Food into your Menu

HIT’s exciting brewing competition is back for 2024

Alex Angelogiannis wows judges to take top spot in National Chef of the Year competition

There is a New Star in the Hospitality Industry

National Inclusion Week 2024: Why Impact Matters in Apprenticeships

HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025

All Change – It’s Time to Reserve Your Apprenticeship Funding!

The Apprenticeship Levy One Year on

We Are Now a Planet Mark Certified Business

HIT Training Ltd Signs New Business Drive to Help The Nation Through COVID-19 Crisis

HIT Training Launches Suite of Training Courses and Workshops to Upskill Hospitality Teams

Introducing the New Normal for HIT’s Apprenticeship Delivery

HIT Training Ltd Wins Excellence in English and Maths Skills Development at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards

Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay

HIT Training Ltd Earns Prestigious Gold Membership in The 5% Club

From First Job to Future Career

Crunch Time: Over Half of Hospitality Businesses Risk Losing their Apprenticeship Levy Fund

HIT Training launches intelligent apprenticeship recruitment service for hospitality and retail, in partnership with urfuture

Election priorities: Fixing the apprenticeship levy by Jill Whittaker OBE

Institute of Hospitality and HIT Training Invest in the Industry’s Future

Protecting the Future of the Sector: Hospitality Businesses Pledge to Fund Apprenticeships Outside Their Organisation

HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship

Hospitality Unites to Launch New Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

Helping Young People Into Work: every employer can do one thing

The Importance of a Mentor for Apprentices

There’s No Age Limit to Invaluable Training

HIT Untapped competition: Meet the 2026 Stars of Brewing

The Opportunity Provider and Scrumptious Marketing Announce Strategic Employer Branding Partnership

Meet our six Salon Culinaire apprentices!

Research Reveals a Positive Change in Perceptions of Hospitality Careers

HIT supports new platform to promote pub and hospitality careers

Working together with the New Government

Two HIT Apprentices Make MasterChef Finals

Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing

Grow your team with retail apprenticeships

Deliveroo Launches New Chef Apprenticeship Fund to Tackle Skills Shortage

What employers need to know about new funding rules

The Young National Chef of the Year Finalists Have Been Revealed

HIT Training Ltd Receives ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating for 14th Consecutive Year

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2022

Hospitality Employers Back Shorter Apprenticeships as HIT Launches New Working Group

‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ programme expands following huge success

Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 to Showcase Industry as #Morethanajob

It’s official – our SEND pilot is now permanent!

What we Can Learn from the Industry About Infection Control

Vacherin’s Nick Smith Crowned Winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year

Mental Health Awareness Week – Dealing with Anxiety

Championing Change in Functional Skills

Sodexo Culinary Academy focuses on inspiring and elevating chefs at every level

Apprentices Make History After Completing the UK’s First Ever Brewer Apprenticeship

The Opportunity Provider (TOP) ranked 28th in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers

Join us for a summer of learning at HIT Training!

National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 – Open for Entries!

Train your staff through hospitality apprenticeships

HIT Training Ltd Receives Matrix Standard

Omicron and COVID Plan B Update

Creating a Learn-it-All Culture

HIT celebrates new tri-nation partnership

HIT Training LTD Receives Royal Recognition for Outstanding Training Impact

Employee-owned training group signals long-term commitment to UK skills with new name

It’s Time to Take Unnecessary Food Waste off the Menu

Culture of Craft – The Rise of the Craft Apprenticeship

Do Hospitality Careers Need a Rebrand?

John Hyde Scoops Special Recognition Award

Rising stars of the UK culinary scene revealed for Young National Chef of the Year final

Boost Your Mental Health Through Small Acts of Kindness

Hospitality Apprentices Impress at HIT Masterchef Finals

Developing an Apprenticeship Strategy

How to Overcome Misconceptions and Unleash Employee Potential

Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase 2021 goes Online

Don’t Waste: The Future of Hospitality

Supporting Employers During the Economic Recovery

Untapped – HIT Training’s Brewer Apprentice Competition

HIT Training welcomes Government’s Fully Funded Apprenticeship Initiative for Small Businesses

Jill makes Public Sector Catering’s ‘Most Influential’ list

A Listening Ear Makes All the Difference: World Suicide Prevention Day

Sodexo partners with HIT to gift £250k of levy to support hospitality apprentices

Center Parcs Celebrates Apprentice Trailblazers

New movement to tackle gender inequality in the kitchen

Turn a first job into a future career with a foundation apprenticeship

New Hospitality Academy Launches to Tackle Industry Challenges and Raise Service Standards

Winners of Fired Up and Un-Tapped Apprentice Competitions 2023 announced

Free online assessment to help employers shape their workforce

HIT partners with Hospitality Jobs UK to form new recruitment partnership

Government announces major youth employment drive and apprenticeship reforms

HIT Heroes Award Winners Announced for 2021

Sam Dixon takes the top spot in Young National Chef of the Year

Hat-trick for HIT: Apprenticeship Provider of the Year three years running

Sign up to news, events and great resources