A YOUNG chef from Middlewich has starred in a national pub chef recruitment campaign.

Fiona Drake, who works at the George & Dragon in Holmes Chapel started her career as an apprentice and is now a talented young chef de partie.

“Apprenticeships are great as they allow on the job training," she said.

"I’ve learnt so many skills whilst being in the kitchen and now I am creating my own specials at the pub."

Fiona starred in a video, which was created by leading trade organisation the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), to inspire young people to pursue a pub chef career. The video is a snapshot of what it’s like to work in a fast-paced pub kitchen, and captures the passions of young pub chefs from across the UK.

Speaking about the close knit team at the George & Dragon, Fiona added: “They’re not just my colleagues, they’re like family as well, we spend time together out of work, we just get on really well, like a big family.”

The film will be promoted around schools, colleges, and universities to help raise awareness of the opportunities in the pub and bar industry and aid in recruiting candidates to the sector.

The pub chef recruitment launch event took place on Monday, February 16 at the Happenstance, London to promote the #pubchefpassion campaign.

The event also launched the new Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification in pub chef skills and operations from the British Institute of Innkeeping, the professional membership association within the licensed retail sector.