Apprentices set to be honoured at Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

By Dom Stevens - 5 August 2019

Three outstanding apprentices working in the town’s food and drink sector are set to battle it out to claim the prestigious Apprentice of the Year title in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards later this year.

Denny Pearson (24) from The Bulls Head, Donna McMahon (38) from Van Dyk and Stuart Mcardle (19) from The Tickled Trout are all in the running for the award which is sponsored by Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council).

All shortlisted apprentices were nominated for the award by their employers.

The finalists will be recognised alongside over 30 businesses in the annual Food and Drink Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

Commenting on being shortlisted, Denny Pearson (below left), a Level 2 Apprentice in Cooking and Food Preparation, said: “It feels great to be recognised for my hard work. It’s taken me by surprise to be honest, but I am really happy to make the final three.”

Having started as a pot-washer at The Bulls Head based in Holymoorside, Denny decided he wanted to kickstart his cooking career with an apprenticeship at the pub. He is hoping to progress further in the kitchen and, eventually, would like to become Head Chef.

Donna McMahon (below centre), who has recently completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration, is using the apprenticeship route to further develop her career within the growing hospitality and conference venue, Van Dyk. She added: “I’m super excited to be put forward and shortlisted for this award and I’m really looking forward to the night. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to develop my skills at Van Dyk with this apprenticeship and look forward to seeing what other qualifications I might be able to complete in the future.”

As well as working as Personal Assistant to the Managing Director (Marc Wildes), organising his diary and attending meetings with him and on behalf of him, organising travel arrangements, Donna is also facilitating the hotel’s major extension work.

Delighted also to be shortlisted, Stuart Mcardle (below right), a Level 2 Apprentice Culinary Chef, who works mainly on pizzas, pastries and starters on a day-to-day basis in the Tickled Trout’s kitchen, said: “I’m really shocked to be shortlisted for this award, but it feels great to have my hard work recognised. I’ve always been interested in cooking so I’m happy to be progressing in my career. Hopefully, one day in the future, I can get the role of head chef!”

Alongside Denny, Donna and Stuart, three businesses have also been shortlisted for the Apprentice Employer of the Year title, sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group). The shortlisted businesses include:

Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa
Stephenson’s Tea & Coffee House
The Tickled Trout

Both the Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year awards were introduced to the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards in 2017. The awards are designed to recognise and commend the valuable contribution both apprentices and their employers make to Chesterfield’s food and drink scene.

Celebrity chef, Brian Turner will announce the winners of the prestigious titles at a glittering awards ceremony being held at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 23 October.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Apprentices play a crucial role in the food and drink sector’s success. Recognising the hard work of apprentices and the support from apprentice employers is important to us and we’re delighted to be able to do that again at this year’s awards.”

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd), Shorts Chartered Accountants and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.