Peach Pubs’ Rob Hartwell wins
Acorn Scholarship 2008
Opportunity of a lifetime for young chef
30th November 2007: Rob Hartwell, Junior Sous Chef at Peach Pubs’ The Fishes in North Hinksey Village near Oxford has won the 2008 Acorn Scholarship. Rob, 24, beat off stiff competition from hundreds of other young talented individuals from all walks of hospitality life to win this once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.
Despite having no formal training – Rob was a roofer and only started cooking in a professional kitchen when he was twenty – Rob has already notched up a fair few achievements in the four years he’s been a chef. As well as rising through the ranks from Commis to Junior Sous, he’s absorbed a vast amount about food in a very short space of time and worked hard at perfecting his craft, tackling everything from organising a summer food festival to serving freshly prepared picnics to more than 300 people a day at The Fishes.
Ben Matthews, General Manager at The Fishes says: “One of the main things which sets Rob apart is the relationship he’s built with the front of house team and his interest in the whole business. He’s also an incredibly passionate chef whose love of uncomplicated, honest food and raw flavours really shines through. He’s got amazing talent, energy and dedication.”
“I’m completely bowled over by winning the Acorn Scholarship,” says Rob. “Though it was something I desperately wanted, I knew the competition I was up against made it a tough challenge. I’ve always had a passion for food for as long as I can remember; I was always just drawn to the kitchen when I was a kid and when I got my first job in hospitality working behind the bar – it was just somewhere I knew I had to be. Perhaps that passion was one of the things that helped me.”
“I’m also a very determined person and there’s one thing I’ve set my sights on: I want my own restaurant. I know I’ve still got a lot to learn so it’s brilliant that I’m going to have the scholarship to help me become more skilled and develop my own style. It’ll also set me well on my way to achieving my ambition.”
Rob is using the scholarship for a two-stage food tour of the Far East, Australia and Southern Europe. The prize package he’s won also includes a personalised training plan, an educational visit and mentoring from high profile industry leaders.
You can read about Rob's Food Tour on the Caterer Blog
“Wining the acorn scholarship has exceeded all my expectations! I’ve learnt so much, visited some of the best places and met some of the most inspirational people in our industry.
The scholarship has given opportunities to travel abroad and as part of my prize I have started a part-time management course. I really feel that I have developed incredibly this year and I’m really going to miss being the Acorn Scholar!”
Julie Lardie, 2007 Winner