Inspired by TV chefs to start apprenticeship

After watching celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey on TV growing up, Shafiur Rahman realised that he’s wanted to be a chef since around the age of 13.

To help him towards achieving this goal and after he saw a couple of adverts on Instagram, promoting courses at Leicester College, Shafiur applied for the Level 2 Hospitality and Catering apprenticeship.

Work placement develops into job

Whilst on the course, Shafiur says that he “learned knife skills and cooking techniques – they taught all of the basics”. He decided to enrol on an apprenticeship because it was “half cooking, half theory and I knew that I would have a job on the side.”

Shafiur continues: “I learned a lot more on an apprenticeship, everything was thoroughly explained and it gave me more freedom. For me, a full-time course appeared too fragmented.

“I secured a work placement with the University of Leicester and after finishing my course with a Distinction, I got a job as a commis chef at the University.”

Commis chefs are junior chefs, who learn their craft while working under the supervision of professional kitchen staff.

Dreaming big

“At the University of Leicester, I work in a team of 6-7 people in the main kitchen, preparing dishes for students and staff, and catering across all campuses for retail, hospitality, bars, merchandising and events,” says Shafiur.

“I’m really enjoying my job at the University and am learning all of the time. I plan to stay in catering and my long-term dream would be working at a five-star dining restaurant in London or even opening my own restaurant.”