As part of National Apprenticeships Week 11th-15th March, the apprentices will have three days to plan, prepare and take a hot food product to sell at Borough in an ‘Apprentice’ style challenge.
Working in two teams the apprentices will source their ingredients from the wealth of traders within the Market and will even have to pass a Borough Market tasting panel, something which all new traders to Borough undertake when they join the Market.
The apprentices will start their day at the Market at 11am when they ring the bell to open the Market, they will then have until 2.45pm on their stalls in the Green Market to sell as much as they can. The winners will be the team that generates the most profit, of which will be donated to a charity of their choice.
Lexington’s Chef Director Rob Kirby said: “We have had a great relationship with Fifteen since its inception over 10 years ago, taking on their students through work experience and full time roles and it has always been a great honour to be associated with Jamie and all the Fifteen guys. We have been able to work with Borough Market over our many years of trading with top quality British suppliers and this competition is a great meeting of the three of us in the ‘Apprentice Challenge!”
Keith Davis, Managing Director of Borough Market said: “The Market has a longstanding relationship with Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and it’s great to have them all back for the day. This will be a great opportunity for the apprentices to combine their cooking skills with a bit of honest trading and will also help to highlight to other young people future job opportunities within the food industry and in markets.”
Tromie Dodd, the Programme Manager at Fifteen’s Apprentice Programme said: “This sort of challenge may seem like a bit of fun but it’s a key part of the Apprenticeship Programme as it gives these young people a greater sense of responsibility over the food they are cooking and also a greater understanding of what it takes to sell food in a competitive environment. For the first year we’re working together with the Lexington Chef’s Apprenticeship Scheme too. I have no doubt that it will be a fantastic day and I know the Apprentices will do Fifteen, Lexington – and Borough Market – proud.”
