Former Hugh Baird College Hospitality and Catering student, Kieran Ryder, is celebrating after being promoted to Sous Chef at Michelin starred chef Nigel Haworth’s gastro restaurant The Nags Head in Cheshire.
The Nags Head, situated in the picturesque hamlet of Haughton, near Tarporley, is part of the Ribble Valley Inns Group.
As second-in-command to the restaurants’ Head Chef, Kieran, who has recently been crowned the Ribble Valley Inns ‘Employee of the Year 2016’, will be putting the skills he learnt at the College’s L20 Hotel School to good use.
Twenty two year old Kieran, from Seaforth, studied Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Professional Cookery at Hugh Baird College. When Kieran completed his Level 3 course in 2014, he was hand-picked and employed as a Commis Chef at The Nags Head by Nigel Haworth, who witnessed his potential when the acclaimed chef worked alongside students at a guest chef evening at the L20 Hotel School.
This week Kieran will be rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most talented, creative and celebrated chefs whilst working at the Obsession 2017 food and wine festival at Haworth’s Northcote restaurant. Amongst the culinary superstars he’ll be cooking alongside will be TV chefs Michael O’Hare and Atul Kochar, John Williams from The Ritz and one of Japan’s most revered chefs, Shinichiro Takagi.
Kieran said:
“Being a student at Hugh Baird College’s L20 Hotel School opened up opportunities that I don’t think I’d have had elsewhere. The experience of working alongside accomplished chefs like Nigel Haworth really does make a difference.”
“I have a lot to thank the College and my tutors for, the skills I gained have enabled me to follow my dream career and the hard work is now paying off.”
Hugh Baird College Curriculum Coordinator for Hospitality and Catering, Steve Otty, said:
“We’re all extremely proud of Kieran, to secure the position of Sous Chef at 22 years old and at such a highly acclaimed establishment, is outstanding. We’re delighted he’s achieving his career goals. He’s inspiring the next generation of our students and we’re confident we’ll see more following in his footsteps.”
“Kieran’s story is what Hugh Baird College is all about; encouraging, nurturing and providing opportunities to help students achieve their career aspirations. He’s a great credit to the College and we’re looking forward to following his career.”