A TOTAL of 57 chefs from the class of 2025 have graduated from the Barchester Chef Academy.
The year-long Academy helps the chefs sharpen their existing skills and develop new ones, under the expert guidance of Barchester’s hospitality, commissioning and academy manager Mervyn Knights.
The Academy was established four years ago by Mervyn, with the aim of supporting chefs at every stage of their career, from kitchen assistant to head chef, by creating opportunities to develop skill sets and progress.
Mervyn joined Barchester 24 years ago, beginning his career as a kitchen assistant and working his way up through the ranks to head chef, later transitioning into a companywide role overseeing hospitality training.
He said: “I am so proud of all 57 talented chefs. It was wonderful to see them not only learning from their trainers but also from one another. Witnessing the growth and confidence of each chef from their first day at the academy to the graduation has been an absolute joy.
“I’m looking forward to the Chef Academy 2026, as it continues to grow from strength to strength.”
The Academy covers a range of modules including cooking for residents living with dementia, budgeting, balancing flavours, minimising wastage, presentation skills and so much more.
The 57 chefs who completed this year’s course had the chance to perfect new techniques and recipes, share hints and tips, to network and make new contacts and to expand their skill set.
Back in their divisions, these chefs will help to train the hospitality teams in their sister homes.