The Simon Kinder Ambassador Award There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the Fifteen Apprentice A record-breaking profit from the “Apprentice Challenge” food stalls at Programme, and 2012 was no exception. As well as celebrating an Whitecross Market astonishing 10 years in action, the Class of 2012 have made this year The Fifteen team’s one-off pizza stall at Borough Market proving to be a great a success once again. Here are some of the highlights that spring hit on Food Revolution Day to mind: The monthly “Supper Clubs”, where an annual intake of apprentices came back to Fifteen to show off their skills to friends and family Fabulous sourcing trips to see some amazing produce and be inspired by some gurus of the food business, particularly Jekka McVicar, Pete Gott and Lucy Carroll, who have seen every group of apprentices and shared their knowledge An awe-inspiring Chefs’ Week where the apprentices demonstrated their skills by running the Fifteen kitchen with a host of Michelin-star chefs A team of long-standing staff and graduates having the privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch A brilliant day on the cobbled streets outside of Fifteen for its first-ever street party
Delivering nearly 50 different outreach projects and working with almost 600 young people, inspiring them with “A Flavour of Fifteen” experience
After 10 years there are 121 graduates and we’re in regular contact with 96% of them. 90% of them say Fifteen was a positive experience and dramatically impacted on their life, and 80% of them are still working in the industry, some now own their own restaurants, heading up their business and training the next generation of chefs!
The annual Simon Kinder Ambassador Award is given to an individual who has championed the Fifteen Apprentice Programme over the past 12 months. Specifically awarded to a Fifteen graduate, it recognises a person that has gone on to do great things in their own right, whilst continuing to share Fifteen’s ethos of inspiring people through food.
The award is in memory of Simon Kinder, a dear friend of Fifteen and Jamie Oliver, who was a leading figure in the British food industry and a major supporter of the Better Food Foundation. It is fitting that this award is given to someone with great entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for supporting future apprentices.
The DAVID FORD PRIZE The annual David Ford Prize is given to the apprentice who has demonstrated the most transformational journey over the past 12 months. This award acknowledges an individual who has overcome personal challenges in order to fully embrace the Apprentice Programme. This apprentice is a great reflection of what Fifteen is all about and is now ready to take on new challenges as a fully qualified professional chef.
The award is in memory of David Ford, whose family approached the Foundation in 2009. David was a talented chef whose story is familiar to that of the apprentices. His family have become great friends of Fifteen and they proactively raise funds through special events in their home town.