New Bradford College Chef Academy delivers the Big Iftar with MyLahore Restaurants

An exciting new chef academy, specialising in British Asian cuisine, is set to enhance the Catering & Hospitality training on offer at Bradford College.

As part of a new employer sponsor relationship, two MyLahore chefs worked with our staff and catering & hospitality students this week for the Big Iftar event, held at the Bradford College Grove Restaurant yesterday.

The students and chefs prepared a fast-breaking meal for over 50 students, staff, and stakeholders as part of Ramadan celebrations.

The event was also the launch of an exciting new chef academy, specialising in British Asian cuisine, to enhance the Catering and Hospitality training on offer at Bradford College.

The partnership with MyLahore is also providing:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for Bradford College catering staff on South Asian cuisine and fusion foods.
• Branded chef whites and aprons for all Academy students.
• Work placement opportunities for 16-18-year-old students across other curriculum areas, from business to travel and tourism.

This new ‘MyLahore Academy’ will soon be enrolling its first class of adult (19+) students, ready for a September start, where fifteen individuals will learn the art of fusion cooking from experts at MyLahore. This will be done working at Bradford College and in restaurant settings, gaining a Level 2 Professional Cookery qualification in the process.

MyLahore Academy trainees, as well as Bradford College students on other catering programmes, will benefit from monthly masterclasses covering pasties to authentic curries. These masterclasses will be delivered at the College, and also in restaurant kitchens, by MyLahore professionals.

Furkan Uddin, Head of Department for Professional Services at Bradford College, said:
“We’re delighted MyLahore has agreed to be the employer sponsor of this new Academy at Bradford College. Tutors have collaborated with MyLahore to create bespoke Level 2 curriculum, tailoring units to their business needs. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for students to learn at the forefront of culinary innovation, but it delivers sought-after skills needed in a booming sector and which appeals to a local demographic and jobs market.”

Academy students will also get the opportunity to participate in the ‘Plan to Plate’ challenge – a competition to create an original dish that could be served at MyLahore restaurants, maybe even featuring on the menu if popular with customers.

Following the conclusion of the one-year programme, Academy trainees will attend a special graduation celebration, after which they will have the chance to gain full-time employment at MyLahore restaurants, progress in the catering industry, or continue to Level 3 training at Bradford College.

The Academy induction masterclass in September will be delivered by Ghafoor Farooq,who began his journey at Bradford College, before progressing to Food & Innovation Director at MyLahore.

Ghafoor said: “This innovative education collaboration is an exciting new development for MyLahore and Bradford College. Given there is an urgent sector-wide call for more specialists with skills in international cuisine, we’re confident the MyLahore Academy will help shape talent to fill skill shortages in the UK workforce and lead to real paid employment in our restaurants.”

Rooted in Yorkshire, MyLahore British Asian Kitchen opened its doors in 2002. Today, the restaurant has outlets in Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Blackburn. Offering everything from samosas to shepherd’s pie and karahis to cornflake tarts, MyLahore is proud of its British Asian origin story.