‘Crucial step’ for chef Zec as SEND student secures internship with the Chester House Estate’s catering team

Zec Taylor, 20, spent two years at the Creating Tomorrow College, and has now progressed into his supported internship in The Farmhouse kitchen, working alongside professional chefs to make, present and serve food and drink to customers.

He said: “My love for cooking started with making cakes at 10-years-old when I made my brother a strawberry birthday cake.

"I started work experience in The Farmhouse in my first year at Creating Tomorrow College washing up and clearing tables, and now in my internship I have been preparing sandwiches and practising my latte art. I even have my own chef whites.”

Zec supports day-to-day tasks including making barista-style coffee, preparing and cooking items on The Farmhouse’s menu alongside professional chefs, and spends time perfecting presentation skills on dishes.

The wider estate provides work experience for students at Creating Tomorrow College on their Pathway to Employment study programme, with the aim of helping to equip them with employability skills to progress into jobs after their studies.

Cllr Helen Howell, North Northamptonshire Council’s deputy leader and executive member for sport, leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Since opening in October 2021, the team at the Chester House Estate have welcomed a number of students from the Creating Tomorrow Trust on work experience and Zec is a prime example of why we are a work experience provider.

“Providing work experience in a professional environment opens doors to students, especially those who have special educational needs, and helps them step into professions they may not have otherwise heard of.

"It is great that Zec is working in the Farmhouse as an intern - it was wonderful to meet him, and I look forward to seeing how his career progresses.”

The Creating Tomorrow Trust has been in partnership with Chester House since the site opened in October 2021, and gives students with special educational needs the opportunity to work alongside estate staff and volunteers on all aspects of the site with hands-on learning within the attraction.

Finally Gareth Ivett, principal of Creating Tomorrow college, added: “We are immensely proud of Zec and all he has achieved through our Pathway to Employment programme.

"GHis transition to a Supported Internship at The Chester House Estate is a testament to his hard work, determination, and growth.

"It’s exciting to see him take this crucial step toward achieving his goal of full-time employment, and we look forward to supporting his continued success. Our partnership with The Chester House Estate has been fundamental to this fabulous outcome.”