Success in the Pembroke Kitchens: Apprentice Chefs Grow in their Careers

The Hall was filled with applause and proud tears earlier this summer as Apprentice Chef, Luke Parsons, was presented his Level 2 City & Guilds Apprenticeship certificate by the Master. Not long after, Niamh Ireland celebrated completing her apprenticeship, becoming a qualified chef after four years as an apprentice in the Pembroke kitchens. To celebrate their respective achievements, Luke and Niamh prepared delicious meals for a group of guests at High Table including Sir Ernest and Lady Ryder and the Bursar. 

Luke receiving applause from his colleagues and the Master

You can read more about Niamh’s experience as an apprentice at Pembroke here and about Luke below. 

Niamh with the Master

Luke’s journey at Pembroke began in 2017 when he joined the College through the Oxfordshire Employment scheme, an initiative designed to support individuals with additional needs into paid work. Since then, Luke has gone from strength to strength, starting off cleaning crockery and preparing dining areas before our Executive Head Chef, Chris Allnutt, took him under his wing and began training him as an apprentice chef. Below, Chris shares with us Luke’s journey in the Pembroke kitchens. 

“From the very beginning, it was clear that Luke brought with him a quiet determination and a genuine desire to succeed.

Luke started his journey in the wash-up area within our catering department. In those early days, he supported the team by cleaning crockery and helping to prepare our dining areas. Even then, his strong work ethic and positive attitude stood out, and he quickly became a valued member of the team.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw Luke truly come into his own. As part of the catering team, he helped us deliver over 50,000 meals to support the homeless community during lockdown. It was an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but Luke approached it with resilience, commitment, and a willingness to do whatever was needed.

As restrictions began to ease, Luke took a significant step forward by moving into a front-of-house role. I watched him build confidence and develop his communication skills, engaging with customers, taking orders, and serving food with pride. His growth during this time was remarkable.

Recognising his potential, I offered Luke the opportunity to train as an apprentice chef. He embraced the challenge wholeheartedly and hasn’t looked back since. Today, he is not only a talented chef but someone who consistently demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and a desire to maintain the highest standards in his work.

Luke showing his Level 2 City & Guilds Apprenticeship certificate to his colleagues

What stands out most to me is Luke’s attitude. He is positive, passionate, and eager to learn from anyone around him. He throws himself into every new challenge and continues to push himself to improve. He is also widely respected and well-liked across the college community, which speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.

Personally, I feel incredibly proud to have been part of Luke’s journey. Watching him overcome challenges with such determination and a constant smile has been genuinely inspiring. It has been a pleasure to support his development, and I look forward to seeing his career continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Many congratulations to Luke and Niamh on their success. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow in their roles.