Every so often a talented, uber enthusiastic young’un comes to work for Berwick Lodge and Mitchell Rawlings is certainly one of them.

Last year Mitchell came to us from nearby Henbury School for his Year 10 work experience in our kitchen. Chef recognised his enthusiasm and that he wasn’t afraid of hard work and gave him the opportunity of a Saturday job to gain more experience. Needless to say Mitch was delighted with this and has worked for us ever since!

MITCHELL’S PROFILE

Best things about the job: You never stop learning and every day is different

Favourite task: Blowtorching shallots

Favourite meat: Lamb

Favourite herb: Mint

Favourite midweek dinner: Mac and Cheese with bacon

Least favourite task: Making hundreds of sandwiches!

“In 2016 when I was pondering what GCSEs to take, family told me ‘do what you love’. That valuable advice really made it easy for me to decide that catering was the route to follow. I love cooking for people and food is a great passion of mine. I took my Catering and Hospitality GCSE in June and am awaiting the results at the end of August. I’m hoping for a 7 or 8 grade”

Mitch will be starting his Catering & Hospitality Advanced Diploma (Level 3) at City of Bristol College in September, as well as continuing his weekend and holiday work with Istvan and the kitchen team at Berwick.

Head chef Istvan said “It’s great having Mitch in the kitchen with us. I can rely on him to prep afternoon teas and lunches and know that he embraces the variety that each day brings in a kitchen. The kitchen can be a pressurised environment at times, not everyone can deal with, but Mitch can! When he’s at college I’m hoping that Mitchell will enter regional cooking competitions with his own dishes, to really build his confidence and experience.

There is a definite decline in the number of young people entering the hospitality industry, all the more reason for me to embrace budding chefs and help support and develop them! I regularly give demonstrations and help out with Weston College and City of Bristol College students, to show them that although the industry can be hard at times, it’s very rewarding when people enjoy your food”

Cooking at home is a regular occurrence for Mitch too, making dinner for his 4 brothers and sisters, for which his proud mums (who got married here in 2015) are very grateful.

We see Mitchell as a great future chef, his enthusiasm and passion really is endearing.

If you know of any passionate young chefs who are keen to get into the catering and hospitality industry, please get in touch.