TWO young chefs have proved they have a great future ahead of them after winning places on a training programme.

The talented pair from City College Brighton and Hove have been awarded places in the Exclusive Chefs’ Academy, a two-year programme from Exclusive Hotels and Venues which launched after a three month search and selection process.

Following a huge amount of interest from talented chefs attracted to the academy, George Martin and Jacqui Drynan were among 13 chefs who succeeded in securing a spot. The successful candidates undertook a series of processes to secure their place, including two skills tests and an onsite assessment day before Exclusive Hotels and Venues’ Executive Chef Andy Mackenzie and his panel of judges reached their decision.

Each of the chefs will have the opportunity to learn from Exclusive’s award-winning chefs.

The top chefs will include the two Michelin Star head chef Michael Wignall at The Latymer at Pennyhill Park in Surrey, one Michelin Star executive chef Richard Davies at The Bybrook at The Manor House, Castle Combe, and MasterChef The Professionals reigning champion Steven Edwards, who is head chef at The Camellia in South Lodge near Horsham.

Over the course of the two years each chef will have on-the-job training, off-site supplier visits, supervisory skills workshops, team challenges and master-classes designed to fast track their career to Chef De Partie level in what would typically take five years to achieve. Mr Mackenzie said: “I have been overwhelmed with the quality of candidates applying to the academy and their individual determination to secure their place.

“It’s going to be an exciting and challenging two years ahead for the chefs on the programme and for our own chefs who are ready to inspire and develop what we believe to be the UK’s freshest new talent.”

City College catering tutor Allan Paul added: “George and Jaqui were really committed students who made the most of the opportunities we gave them to refine their culinary skills so it’s fantastic to see them progress onto this exciting programme.”

The Exclusive Chefs’ Academy kicked off this month, across the Exclusive Hotels and Venues group of country house properties in the South East.