The annual Purple Umbrella Awards, organised by BIIAB Centre Umbrella Training, celebrate the achievements of apprentices from across the UK’s hospitality industry.
This year’s award winners were announced on 7 September 2023. Talented chefs, staff, supervisors, and managers from across the hotel, restaurant, and food service sectors were recognised at an awards evening at BAFTA 195, the British Academy of Film and Television in London.
BIIAB sponsored the Best Level 3 Apprentice category, which was won this year by Russell Johnson, an apprentice at the Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest.
Umbrella Training said: “The apprentice secured the award through their significant contributions in standards, welfare, and motivation, evident in their digitisation of menu resources, fostering teamwork through innovative approaches like the ‘Freedom List’, and embodying core business values in personal interactions.
“Their humility, humour, and unwavering commitment, even in the face of challenges, make them a highly deserving recipient of the award.”
We spoke to Russell about his success.
How does it feel to win the Best Level 3 Apprentice Award?
Russell: “I am very honoured to have even been shortlisted. The whole company was very supportive and encouraged me to apply. I am proud to be part of this team and winning feels like an acknowledgement of all the hard work that goes on every day.”
What is your apprenticeship and job role at Lime Wood?
“I completed the Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship. I am a Restaurant Supervisor and I chose this apprenticeship to gain a wider understanding of the industry and a framework to use for managing people with a vision for total hospitality.”
My next steps are to help with developing the future stars of hospitality.
What are your next steps and career goals?
“My next steps are to help with developing the future stars of hospitality. For myself I would like to build up my wine knowledge and leadership skills.”
Would you encourage others to consider an apprenticeship as a route into hospitality careers?
“If you are interested in hospitality then I would say go for it. I found that it gave me a structure to work with and different perspectives that you might never think of.”
Do you have hospitality apprentices? We’ve got you covered.
We specialise in the hospitality sector and provide end-point assessment for several hospitality apprenticeship standards. Along with Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor, we also offer:
- Level 2 Commis Chef
- Level 2 Hospitality Team Member
- Level 2 Production Chef
- Level 3 Chef de Partie
- Level 3 Event Assistant
- Level 3 Senior Production Chef
- Level 4 Hospitality Manager
We will soon be offering the Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef standard too. Register for email updates to be the first to hear when this is live.
To find out more about our end-point assessment services, visit our End-Point Assessment page or get in touch.
Umbrella Training is a BIIAB Recognised Centre. If you’re interested in working with us too, find out how to Become a Centre.