Award-winning, independent Surrey-based pub company Red Mist Leisure is raising the bar within the hospitality industry to support young upcoming chefs, ex-offenders, the homeless and ex-servicemen and women with its new apprenticeship scheme for Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie positions.

With the support of four local colleges including Farnborough College of Technology, Basingstoke College, South Thames College and Havant & South Downs College, Red Mist Leisure launched its apprenticeship scheme in September 2018 and continues to focus on bringing new talent into the kitchens of their family of pubs.  Founder and Managing Director of Red Mist Leisure and British Institute of Innkeeping's new Chairman, Mark Robson, is passionate in his quest to bring the pub industry, in its entirety, together to form enticing training and development opportunities to a new generation of chefs.

Comments Mark Robson 'As I outlined in my speech at the recent BII summer event, we need more effort and focus by employers to attract a greater number of apprentices into our industry. Collectively, we must embrace the opportunities that exist by introducing or expanding apprenticeship programs in our businesses to help overcome the very real recruitment crisis our sector is facing. Initiatives like this attract fresh, new talent into the industry and help secure the pipeline of skilled chefs and kitchen staff for the future and I want Red Mist to help lead the way on this front by expanding our apprenticeship offering this year'.

All ten of the company's successful pubs located across Hampshire and Surrey, whose menus heavily focus on locally sourced, fresh and seasonally inspired food and drink, are taking part in this national, government supported scheme.  New candidates will receive a 12-month training programme with the opportunity for a full-time role upon completion, which can take as little as 4 weeks to set up and commence.  Anyone can apply so long as they are aged 16 and over and are eligible to work in the UK.

The Red Mist Leisure apprenticeship scheme offers a range of fruitful benefits including on-the-job training and mentorship, a competitive wage (significantly higher than the Government Apprentice wage), free meals during work, a 25% company discount to enjoy Red Mist Leisure dining, a young person's railcard and aid towards travel arrangements, uniform, plus a generous bonus scheme rewarding students for successfully completing certain stages of their training and qualification.  The company also supports additional educational development including GSCE maths and English qualifications to run alongside their training, should these be required.  To find out more, please visit: https://redmistleisure.co.uk/apprenticeships/

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Further information and high res images available via Kelly Hobbs at Red Mist Leisure

T: 07747 022 625 E: Kelly.hobbs@redmistleisure.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Now in its 16th year, award-winning, independently run and owned pub company Red Mist Leisure was set up by two friends, Mark Robson and Mark Williams. The company has a growing portfolio of ten destination establishments across Surrey and Hampshire, including its newest opening The Castle Inn in Farnham, The Wellington Arms in Stratfield Turgis, The Temple Inn in Liss Forest, The Red Lion in Odiham, The Royal Exchange in Lindford, The Cock Inn in Headley Village, The Stag on the River in Lower Eashing, The Exchequer in Crookham Village, The Duke of Cambridge in Tilford and The Queen's Head in East Clandon.