Earlier this week we attended the Liverpool Hospitality People Awards at the Titanic Hotel. Both our Head Chef Ian Corkhill and Commis Chef Jose Rice were nominated for awards that celebrated the people at the heart of Liverpool’s bustling hospitality industry. We were thrilled to have not one, but two nominations and were so glad to see our team be celebrated alongside their peers.

Jose, who gained a permanent position in the Imagine More Café after completing our Steps to Work programme, was nominated for Young Chef of the Year. Being nominated for such an award demonstrates how far Jose has come and we are unbelievably proud to have him on the Strawberry Field team.

Head Chef Ian was nominated for Chef of the Year but the judges were so impressed with Ian, they created a special award just for him! Ian came away with the Special Recognition Award for his commitment to hospitality, teaching, and high standards.

Giovanna Grossi, judge at the Awards, said  “I am honoured, privileged and delighted to be here tonight to present this award that has been specifically created for this individual who over the past 40 years, has dedicated himself to Hospitality, and more recently to the education and mentoring of local chefs, the present and future of the industry, chefs who have and will go on to be part of our industry for many years to come.”

“The dedication and service of this individual is unparalleled, after many years of teaching and lending his knowledge to the countless number of chefs, it is now time to recognise him in his own right as an industry legend.”

“This individual is so humble that he does not even recognise that his dedication, passing on of skills and knowledge, and unwavering standards are his greatest assets.”

Ian is a classically trained chef who has been part of some the best brigades in Britain. He took decision to change from commercial kitchens to something more rewarding and changed his skill set to be able to teach at St Helen’s College. Ian then joined Strawberry Field, where he could combine his chef skills and teaching experience in the fast-paced kitchen at the Imagine More Café.

Kitchens can be daunting to people new to the hospitality industry, but Ian has made the café at Strawberry Field a welcoming place of development and learning. He always makes time outside of the day to day to support his team.  He is extremely patient and is invested in the success of his staff and the organisation.

The Steps at Strawberry Field programmes run on site support people with barriers into employment through training and work placements. Each trainee’s work journey involves a placement on site at Strawberry Field and Ian supports trainees on their very first workplace experiences, as they learn essential skills in his kitchen. He takes people who are absolute novices and helps them get to a level where they can work in a professional kitchen. His dedication to the hospitality industry is second to none.

Congratulations to both Ian and Jose for their nominations and to Ian for his win. We are unbelievably proud of them both!