From left to right: Ashley, Paul Breach of AFWS, Fred Sirieix, Danielle and James
The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS), the UK’s professional body for front-of-house service, will continue to build on the impetus created by the BBC2 TV programme Michel Roux’s Service by creating a single professional qualification roadmap for front of house that begins at entry level and can be followed through to a foundation degree in food and beverage management.
“Michel Roux’s Service has given the Academy a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of front of house further and to demonstrate the broad range of exciting career opportunities available,” commented AFWS deputy chairman and director Paul Breach, speaking at an AFWS screening event of the final episode of the programme attended by members of the industry, the eight trainees and their mentor in the programme Fred Sirieix, general manager of Galvin at Windows.
“We’ve had a really busy month at the Academy. Hits on our website have now reached over 6,000, membership enquiries are on the up, our Twitter followers have now reached over 600 and many of our existing members are keen to enrol on training courses. The ball is now rolling to make front of house an attractive place to work, helped by some of the fantastic role models in the programme such as Academy members Laura Rhys at TerraVina, Peter Avis at Babylon, Ronan Sayburn at Hotel du Vin and of course Fred Sirieix, all of whom are at the top of their profession and following interesting, rewarding careers,” added Breach
The eight-part Michel Roux’s Service came to its conclusion last night [3 Feb], when three trainees were awarded work scholarships. Danielle Meenagh, 18, is training at Hotel du Vin, Winchester, Ashley Flay, 21, is at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and James Marvin, 24, is at the Hilton Park Lane. After the six-month scholarships each will complete three week-long stages at various high profile establishments including Le Gavroche, Babylon at the Roof Gardens, Chewton Glen, The Ritz, The Waterside Inn, Galvin at Windows, Lucknam Park, and Bovey Castle. Three of the other trainees are already pursuing careers in the industry, with Brooke Arnold, 18, working with Fred Sirieix at Galvin at Windows, Tom Burrows, 20, on a management trainee course with Zizzi’s and Niki Bedson, 23, in bar service.
“The programme has managed to put the issue of service on the agenda – people are talking about what makes good, and bad, service and where they’ve experienced it,” commented AFWS executive director Sophie Roberts-Brown. “Apart from the trainees, the real stars of the show have been Michel Roux Jnr and Fred Sirieix. It has been wonderful to see their gentle patience with the trainees, their inspiration and passion and the humanity they displayed. You could see all the trainees respond positively to this approach, which has been a lesson in how important it is to have faith and trust in the people you are training.”
Speaking at the AFWS screening event last night [3 Feb] Fred Sirieix told the trainees: “The programme has inspired and educated people and I hope people now know how rewarding this industry can be.” He reminded them that anything is possible: “Whenever anyone says you can’t do something, you can do it. You have learnt life skills and social skills and these are transferable and you need to remember them.”
The Academy’s new professional training roadmap will offer a framework which takes front of house trainees from entry level through apprenticeship, advanced apprenticeship to a foundation degree in food and beverage management. The framework will also include opportunities for existing employees to develop higher craft, supervisory and management skills by attending short, work-based seminars, master classes and on-line learning programmes with mentor support leading to nationally recognised qualifications.
Training information, fact sheets on various aspects of service, career guides and video interviews with the stars of Michel Roux’s Service are available to watch or download on the Academy’s website at www.afws.co.uk.
For further details please Linda Pettit at Tilburstow Media Partners at Linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk or call 01737 823721 or 07973 789853. Alternatively call AFWS on 020 8661 4646.
About the Academy
The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) established in 1988, is the professional body for front-of-house service. As a non-profit making organisation the Academy is dedicated to improving the status and awareness of food and beverage service as a viable career choice, raising standards across the industry, and by encouraging teamwork to foster good relations with other industry sectors. The Academy can offer advice and training to anyone following, or considering, a career as a sommelier, wine waiter, waiter, bar manager or restaurant manager.
The Academy’s website and supporting training and advice material is not connected with the BBC.
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