Two Suffolk based cooking sensations have got jobs as chefs with Tom Kerridge.
The learners – Lilly Popplewell and Saskia Stannard – are coming to the end of their course at Suffolk New College.
They have managed to secure positions working at two of Tom Kerridge’s award-winning restaurants in Marlow.
Lilly Popplewell, 19, from Kesgrave is on a level two professional chef course at Suffolk New College. She has got a position as a commis chef at The Coach – a place that has a Michelin Star.
Saskia, 23, from Ipswich is also on a level two professional cookery course and will be working as a commis chef at The Hand and Flowers – an eatery with two Michelin Stars.
They have trained at the in-house college restaurant called Chefs’ Whites.
They both got the chance to work for these esteemed establishments after attending an event called Pub in the Park.
They met Sarah Hayward at this London based event. The pair explained their future plans and impressed the top chef to the point where they were offered a job.
They will now be starting positions at some of the best restaurants in the country at the end of the month.
On getting this opportunity, Lilly said: “The Tom Kerridge Group have been incredibly helpful and I’m very excited by this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to it.”
And on Suffolk New College, she said: “I walked into this course being so apprehensive but I’m glad I did it. I’ve enjoyed it, met so many people, made friends and now I’ve been given this amazing opportunity.”
In terms of her future, Saskia said: “I’m going to be working with Sarah Hayward who won young Michelin chef of the year in 2023. I’m so excited. It doesn’t feel real. To work in a Michelin Star restaurant is a dream come true.”
Reflecting on her time at the college Saskia said: “It’s been amazing. Starting here (at Suffolk New College) exceeded my expectations in every way and I wish I could do it all over again. The level of teaching here needs to be recognised and thanks to the staff, we get so many opportunities and connections. The college has got your back. And they have helped me get a job. This for me has been life changing.”
Daniel Russell-Poole is a chef lecturer at Suffolk New College. Daniel said: “It’s amazing. They got this chance at Pub in the Park thanks to our connection with The Unruly Pig. The students spent a couple of days down there. They were put in touch with the Tom Kerridge Group and I’m really proud of them. They have worked so hard, this is very well deserved and I wish them all the best. It shows you the standard of talent that Chefs’ Whites is able to produce. Our aim is to help all of our students get the job of their dreams and it’s my role as a lecturer to help them do this.”