Students urged to consider food career

On the day millions receive their A-level results, young people are being urged to consider a career in artisan food production.

Nottinghamshire’s School of Artisan Food in Welbeck says that as public demand grows for locally sourced food, there is a shortage in the number of trained artisan producers.

“Customers are becoming a lot more interested in how their food is produced and where the ingredients are sourced,” said the School’s director Joe Piliero. “We’d urge young people to consider this as a career choice, especially if they are passionate about food.”

The call was backed by baker Martina Mitchell, who completed The School of Artisan Food’s 10-month Advanced Diploma and is now co-owner of Seven Hills Bakery, an artisan bread shop in Sheffield. “Any young person with an interest in food should seriously consider a career in artisan food production,” said Martina. “It’s certainly a growing market and whilst there is no job guarantee at the end there are plenty of opportunities for those with the drive and enthusiasm to pursue an artisan career.”