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Course helps former kitchen porter chase dreams

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
BBC Samuel is mixing a bowl of melted chocolate as he stands in a big kitchen at a metal table in his chef whites and apron. Behind him is a big over with lots of trays.BBC
Samuel Ayoti has been training at Highlands College for his apprenticeship to improve his culinary skills

A former kitchen porter says he has been able to chase his dream of becoming a pastry chef thanks to an apprenticeship course.

Samuel Ayoti, from Kenya, came to Jersey shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic and began working as a kitchen porter.

His former head chef saw Mr Ayoti's hard work and encouraged him to do an apprenticeship at Highlands College in 2022.

Mr Ayoti was named Best Student Apprentice in his first year and said what he had learnt had "immensely improved" his skills.

Adrian smiles at the camera as he stands in the kitchen wearing his chef white and an apron. He has a dark blue chef hat on and his arms are held behind his back. Behind him apprentices are working on their chocolate designs.
Adrian Goldsborough from Highlands College has been impressed by Samuel's progress

Chef lecturer at Highlands College Adrian Goldsborough was the one who nominated Mr Ayoti for the award.

He said: "English is a second language to Samuel, so he struggled a bit.. [but] he was very open to learning, asked questions and he's excelled.

"We work well with the industry but there is more room for more chat to help more people through apprenticeships."

Mr Ayoti progressed to a Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery and is now undertaking his Level 3 Professional Practice apprenticeship while working as a Chef de Partie at the Oyster Box restaurant.

Jacky looks at the camera in front of the kitchen counter in the restaurant. He is wearing his chef whites with a blue apron and black chef hat. Jacky has a stubbly grey beard and glasses too.
Jacky Eon works with Samuel at the Oyster Box and has seen how the apprenticeship has helped his development

Jacky Eon is the head chef of the Oyster Box and has seen how the apprenticeship courses have helped Mr Ayoti.

He said: "Samuel is very good at his job and he's very enthusiastic... I come from an apprenticeship background as well and I think it's a good way to train people.

"It's very important that the hospitality industry gets more people working through training schemes like apprenticeships.

The JP Restaurant group allowed Mr Ayoti a day off a week to do his apprenticeship course.

Samuel looks at the camera by the kitchen counter. He is wearing his chef whites with a blue apron and a black chef hat.
Samuel Ayoti wants to build on the success of his apprenticeship

Mr Ayoti said he wanted to show others who had come to the island that they could also make the most of these opportunities as well.

He said: "When I came to the island, I didn't have much knowledge of cooking... but since coming to Highlands College I learnt a lot and hopefully I can implement in the future.

"You need to be committed and flexible to follow your goals and dreams, but, if you persevere, then you will enjoy the fruits of your work."

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