Name: Simon Rogan
Price range: $$$

ACADEMY BY SIMON ROGAN

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Academy by Simon Rogan

ABOUT

Academy by Simon Rogan, launched in 2021 in partnership with Kendal College, to address critical skills shortages in the hospitality sector through an innovative 15-month apprenticeship programme. Our course serves individuals aged 16 and above who are passionate about exceptional food and outstanding customer service.

The Chef Apprenticeship provides an immersive culinary experience featuring three five-month rotations across our acclaimed restaurants in picturesque Cumbria, including three Michelin-starred L'Enclume, one Michelin-starred Rogan & Co, and award-winning Henrock. Each rotation allows our apprentices to learn all aspects of kitchen operations and gain hands-on experience at Our Farm.

The Front of House Apprenticeship focuses on creating unforgettable dining experiences in our esteemed Cumbrian restaurants. The course includes eight hours of training delivered by the relevant in-house teams every week, and will also be supplemented with additional training each month at Kendal College.

Both programs follow an "Earn While You Learn" model, offering competitive annual salaries supplemented by service charges through a balanced 40-hour working week that combines practical experience with one day per week at Kendal College, developing essential hospitality skills.

Our comprehensive program culminates in a fully-funded week-long work experience trip at one of Simon's international restaurants. Previous years have been to Hong Kong, partnering with the award-winning hotel group, Rosewood. This experience provides emerging talent with exceptional training and direct pathways into successful hospitality careers within one of the UK's leading restaurant groups.

Academy by Simon Rogan

If you are interested in joining our academy, as a chef or front of house, click below to find out more about what we can offer.

Got a question?

Want to find out more about the programme, we'd love to hear from you.

email us

Marcin, our Head of HR and Recruitment at UMBEL Restaurant Group

“The whole industry has seen staff challenges and shortages. The Academy was created as a way of nurturing brilliant talent and creating the next generation of talented chefs. We’ve been really pleased with the success so far … (our apprentices) have joined the programme not only with a real hunger to learn, but also buy into the ethos of our restaurants and kitchens.”

Careers

'Academy by Simon Rogan' Apprentice Dinner

As our ‘Academy by Simon Rogan’ apprentices near course completion, they will host a dinner at Kendal College to celebrate the success of this programme.

The cohort of academy apprentices will collaborate to create and cook a five-course menu based on what they have learnt over the prior 15 months of working with and learning from experts in their field.

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Graduation Trip to Hong Kong

The apprenticeship culminates in a fully expensed week-long stagiaire at one of Simon's international restaurants, with all flights and hotel accommodation paid for!

Our most recent cohort of apprentices had the opportunity to stay at The Rosewood Hong Kong, where they cooked a remarkable six-course dinner alongside Rosewood trainees and International Culinary Institute students. Following the dinner, before Simon gave a talk, and the apprentices received graduate certificates.

One to watch: Keira Carolan (Cohort 2)

Now a Demi CDP at Henrock, Kiera has already achieved an impressive collection of awards during her time on the course. In 2023, she was named Lancashire Life’s Young Chef of the Year. Alongside fellow apprentice Dylan, she went on to win the National Seafood Chef of the Year. The following year, in 2024, Kiera secured 3rd place in the National Young Chef of the Year Award. Most recently, she was honoured with the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef Award in 2025.

Hope Maddie Ky at Young Restaurant Team of the Year finals

Meet Hope Ryall-Thurlow (Cohort 3)

Currently working as a commis chef at Henrock, Hope won the ‘Young Restaurant Team of the Year’ alongside fellow ex-apprentices Maddie and Kye this June.

Maddie Bates R Ogan Co Service on the pass

Meet Maddie Bate (Cohort 2)

Maddie is currently head waitress at Rogan & Co. She achieved the Royal Academy Annual Awards of Excellence and won the ‘Young Restaurant Team of the Year’ and "Mocktail of the Year" with her team mates this June.

From KP to Commis Chef: Meet Ramos

Ramos was a KP for eight years at our restaurants before wanting to train as a chef. He joined us for our very first intake of Our Academy. Upon graduating, he is now a commis chef at L’Enclume and has completed his NVQ Level 3 after the Academy.

"The apprenticeship has given me what I wanted out of life, I’m getting paid to do my passion.”

Springboard Annual Award of Excellence

Academy by Simon Rogan won Best Education and Industry Partnership in 2024.

Professional Association of Catering Education Awards

Kendal College and Academy by Simon Rogan won Best Industry Partnership in 2023.

Academy by Simon Rogan wins UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year

We are incredibly proud of Hope, Maddie, and Kye - three of our Academy by Simon Rogan graduates - who have been named the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year. To top it all off, they also took home the "Best Dish" award and "Mocktail of the Year".

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