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Hospitality Training 

Chef

About Our Training

Starting from September 2023, we are proud to offer training opportunities for men currently in custody. Our comprehensive training programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills and qualifications needed to excel in commercial kitchens.

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Our training programs have been meticulously crafted to equip individuals with the skills and qualifications necessary to excel in the demanding environment of commercial kitchens. We understand that the journey toward successful reintegration into society can be challenging, which is why we are dedicated to offering a supportive and nurturing learning environment.

Chefs Discussing over Food

Collaborative Development

This bespoke course represents the culmination of a remarkable partnership between Lime Bird, HMPPS (His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service), and the dedicated team at the Shaw Trust (CF03). Our collaboration is driven by a shared commitment to effecting positive change and providing meaningful opportunities for individuals currently in custody.

 

Together, we have harnessed our collective expertise to meticulously craft a training program that stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking transformation.​As we move forward with this groundbreaking initiative, our goal remains clear: to break down barriers and provide a path to redemption and success for those who have often been marginalised.

 

Through the unwavering dedication of Lime Bird, HMPPS, and the Shaw Trust (CF03), we are pioneering a transformative program that embodies the spirit of rehabilitation, second chances, and a brighter future for all. Together, we are making a profound impact on the lives of participants, their families, and society as a whole, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path to reintegration.

Chef Course Details

Our comprehensive training program is strategically designed to encompass an intensive 4-week duration, ensuring that participants acquire the practical skills and knowledge essential for thriving in the demanding environment of commercial kitchens. This condensed yet robust approach not only equips them with the competencies needed to excel in culinary roles but also serves as a proactive solution to the financial challenges faced by employers when onboarding new hires.

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Within this 4-week period, participants undergo a rigorous curriculum that covers a wide range of culinary techniques, food safety protocols, and kitchen management skills. This immersive experience not only sharpens their culinary prowess but also hones their ability to adapt swiftly and work effectively under pressure, preparing them for the fast-paced world of commercial kitchens. By compressing the training into this timeframe, we not only accelerate the transition of individuals into employment but also alleviate the financial strain on businesses, reducing the costs typically associated with extensive training and onboarding processes.

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In essence, our program not only empowers individuals with the skills they need to secure gainful employment upon release but also streamlines the hiring process for prospective employers. It's a win-win situation that not only fosters the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals but also supports the sustainability and growth of the culinary industry.

Sliced Beef

Get Involved

If you would like to learn more about our training programs or are interested in attending one of our open days for employers, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We welcome inquiries and look forward to connecting with you.

 

If you have participants in mind who could benefit from our courses, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support individuals in their journey toward employment and personal growth.

Contact Us

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Our
Projects

Our Projects include a number of charitable activities as well as funded projects from partners such as Ixion, Shaw Trust & Department for Work & Pensions.

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Everyday we look towards making offenders and ex-offenders more employable and to give them the confidence to go on to become positive members of society and role models in our communities.

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Our work doesn't stop there, we advise employers how to employ serving or ex-offenders by giving them strategies about what challenges they will face and how to deal with them.

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Learners break down whole sirloins above, all food made for this lesson was then cooked for the service users of our charity partner.

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Learners were shown how to make pizzas, a high gross profit margin menu option and some varieties they could implement.

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A classic Chicken Ballotine, this time stuffed with Ratatouille served with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Tenderstem Broccoli - As part of a graduation meal.

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Learners start the day with some theory work in the classroom.

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Learners break down whole chickens, showing the importance of retaining high gross profit margins while learning different ways to cook different parts of the chicken - the carcass was used towards chicken stock and chicken soup.

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Here is a Steak Chimichurri Flatbread, learners utilised the off cuts of the whole sirloin the butchered.

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Cottage pies were another great addition to be using the 'waste' off cuts of the sirloin.

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Open Fish Tacos - another example how you can use off cuts to produce a high gross profit margin dish.

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Fish Tostada - Utilising some locally landed Plaice.

High Sheriff of Kent - Garden Party 2025

We were commissioned to provide all of the catering and waiting staff for the High Sheriff of Kent's garden party. This proved to be a huge success among it's guests that included law enforcement, prison service,  the judiciary, council officials to name a few. 90% of the staff sent to the event were serving or ex-offenders. 

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Feedback

What a triumph!!

 

I wanted to send a personal note to you and your Team who were

simply fabulous. The Team worked so well in their different

areas and engaged with everyone so professionally and with

care. There was great attention to detail displayed personally

by them and in the food and drink that was prepared.

I heard so many positive comments in this regard and when at

Belmont this morning this was repeated by Andrea, Jake and

Tom.

 

I would like to thank a couple of people specifically:

R – what a star he was particularly on Wednesday. Rebecca and

I considered him to be part of our mini Team. What an engaging

and personable young man who deserves every opportunity to

move his life forward. His attitude towards the future is second to none and he sounds to be proactive in finding a path for himself (with support from you and others). There was no sense of entitlement coming from him and he is proud of what he is now achieving. Thank you, R.

 

Z – Jonathan and Lucie were delighted to have you in attendance. You were kind and supportive without being obtrusive – you also looked out for me. You showed genuine care in what you were doing – this is a skill not to be underestimated. Thank you.

 

J – A trouble shooter par excellence and a man after my own heart. Your support throughout the afternoon was second to none. You used your considerable skills to great effect to enable the afternoon to run smoothly. Thank you also for working well with the Shepherd Neame and Belmont Teams. The afternoon was described to me this morning as a “slick operation” and you contributed to that. Thank you.

 

Please pass my messages onto them. Jake, you have created a create company giving opportunities to many considered by some to be on the edges of society. You are choosing to make a difference in the world and that is mighty powerful. Thank you. I was proud to have my photo taken with you all and we’ll forward it to you probably next week.

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HMP YOI Feltham - Inspiring Careers - Enrichment Weeks

 

 

 

 

 

We have attended a number of projects run by the Education team at YOI Feltham, including their employment events and enrichment weeks. 

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Employment Events - Inspiring Careers

Our leadership team volunteer their time to give students advice and information on what people can expect when working in the hospitality industry, what jobs are involved and how this industry has helped people with similar life experiences. We have successfully gone on to employ from this event.

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Feedback

A huge thank you for being part of the day. The feedback really does speak for itself—your presence made a genuine difference. The learners spoke highly of the opportunity to attend, and it is clear that their knowledge and understanding grew as a direct result of your engagement.

I think it’s fair to say that you didn’t just attend; you left a lasting impact. Even if some of our young people didn’t always show their engagement outwardly, please know that your contribution was valued and meaningful—for that, I can only apologise and thank you for your patience.

 

We are incredibly grateful that you shared your time, experience, and encouragement with our learners.

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Enrichment Week

We have been commissioned to provide classes to learners so that they can learn, prepare and make their own meals. This class gives students a break from a traditional schooling environment. Learners often suggest what they would like to cook on the next enrichment week and some of these meals have included Jerk Chicken, Christmas Dinners, Waffles & Chicken Ballotine to name a few.

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Feedback

To the Lime Bird team,

 

We wanted to say a huge thank you for your support in delivering our enrichment week in August.

 

Our education team in HMPYOI Feltham are committed to impactful teaching and learning, and part of our delivery model encompasses our enrichment weeks. These weeks are planned and formulated to offer a range of extra-curricular activities targeted to enhance the learner experience.

A pivotal action in broadening our offer was to engage with external providers, such as yourselves and invite you to be part of our delivery. All partners were researched and chosen with learners in mind; feedback from our team said partners were “good and experienced”, with 82% agreeing activities were well chosen and suited learner needs and 88% confirmed the activities would have been beneficial for learners.

 

The Lime Bird team taking over our catering room, leading cheffing masterclasses and speaking to learners about careers in the industry, was a huge success. Staff fed back that “Lime Bird was very popular and engaging” and that it was “great to see the great engagement and career possibilities”. A highlight for our SLT was a learner “receiving a conditional employment offer with Lime Bird”. Lime Bird received overwhelming positive feedback from learners, with comments saying it made them feel “happy”, and “like I can do better with my life”.

100% of staff and partners, and 77% of learners said the event was ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’.

In our team, most staff felt activities suited learner needs and were beneficial, fostering confidence, joy, and skill development. Quotes included: “the young people were interested in different job opportunities following the work done by the tutors in the classes” and “It was the best one I have experienced in over two years with a great range of activities”. Our Deputy Head of Education said, “the energy and buzz it created was a great way to end the term”.

Most importantly, our learners; the activities pinpointed as most enjoyed included cooking with Lime Bird. Learners listed learning to season food, decorate plates, cook chicken and rice and whisk batter to be their favourite elements of the sessions. One learner said he enjoyed “creating a brilliant masterpiece of food” and that it made him feel “happy as we worked together as a team”.  For the future learners asked for more cooking sessions with Lime Bird.

 

The week was a resounding success and an event we are proud to have hosted for our learners.

 

Our Head of Education summed it up “our aim is to strive for good behaviour and positive engagement, and it was there all week”. This is the ethos we will take forward into our next event. Our team always work with the children in our care at the forefront; weeks like this one remind us how critical this commitment is and the impact and difference we can make. We want to say a huge thank you for being part of that difference!!

 

We hope to be able to collaborate again in future,

 

Many thanks,

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Kitchen Workshops - In Custody- DWP

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The kitchen workshops that are run in custody are held across a 2 week period, in which learners are asked to complete a text book in their own time covering a lot of the classroom work.

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Learners would come away with understanding the management and business side of the hospitality industry, gaining qualifications and cooking a mock pub menu.

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Learners were awarded with certificates on completion, cooked and ate at the graduation meal in which selected industry leaders were able to attend and present the awards. Finally successful candidates were put forward for job interviews in which job offers were presented to an average of 84% of learners. 

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Feedback

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Feedback awaiting approval to

be publicised.

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Kitchen Workshops - CF03 Evolution - ESF

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Our kitchen workshops were ran at the end of 2023 and proved to be successful with many of the candidates going into work directly after the course completion with many of the men still working for us today (March 2026.)

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Learners had a 4 week course that included everything from breaking down whole animals, cooking, preparing and storing multiple foods as well as how to be more employable while learning what to expect within the hospitality industry.

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Feedback

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Awaiting Feedback

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©2022 by Limebird Recruitment.

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