St Austell Brewery Awards
Two Apprentices from Truro and Penwith College and Victoria Inn, Threemilestone win Apprentice of the year awards at St Austell Brewery’s Annual Tribute Awards
Employer and College Partner The Victoria Inn, Threemilestone also win Customer Service Award.Apprentice of the Year category new for 2017.
It was a case of double delight for two Cornish Apprentices at a recent employer award ceremony after they both scooped awards for their hard work in hospitality.
Truro and Penwith College Apprentices Darren Dustan from Threemilestone and Chris Linne from Newquay were recognised in the Apprentice of the Year category at St Austell Brewery’s annual Tribute Estate Awards.
The Awards, now in their 17th year, were held at The Great Western Hotel in Newquay and were attended by shortlisted nominees from the Brewery’s 178-strong estate of pubs and hotels in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
The Apprentice of the Year category, introduced for the first time in 2017, was awarded to 17-year-old Darren Dustan.
Darren is an Apprentice Chef De Partie at St Austell Brewery’s tenanted pub The Victoria Inn at Threemilestone, and is currently completing his Professional Cookery Level 2 Apprenticeship with Truro and Penwith College.
After being offered the Apprenticeship after completing a week’s work experience at the pub, Darren was recognised not only for his work in the kitchen, but also his additional commitment to help market The Victoria Inn through weekly blogs and photography.
Darren said: “It was such a great achievement winning this award, I definitely think my passion and enthusiasm for what I do, including my interest in photography helped me to win it. Without the continued support from my colleagues at The Victoria Inn, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
The Victoria Inn has been in partnership with Truro and Penwith College for four years. Proprietor Mark Holden added: “We use the business team at Truro and Penwith College as an integral part of our staff development. The training covers such a wide variety of skills which helps within our business which has so many different aspects to it, we can’t speak any higher of the Apprenticeship scheme”.
Also recognised in the Apprentice of the Year category was Chris Linne, 21, another Apprentice in a Chef De Partie role at The Victoria Inn. Chris was one of the three nominees shortlisted and was highly commended on the evening due to his, “passion and commitment in the kitchen”. Chris has now completed his Apprenticeship and has continued working at The Victoria Inn after gaining permanent employment.
Estate Director of St Austell Brewery, Adam Luck said: “We work hard to nurture and develop young local talent in all areas of our business, so it makes total sense to include a category that celebrates their achievements at our annual awards with the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category”.
To celebrate Apprenticeship Week, Truro and Penwith College is holding information events for learners on the 4th and 11th March, and a special conference event for employers to help them understand the Apprenticeship Levy and Reforms planned for 2017, on 7th March. Booking is required, for more information visit their website.
