The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Leading chef to help launch new hospitality scholarship
Dundee and Angus College will soon be spearheading a new scholarship for hospitality students, supported by chef John Benson-smith.
Following the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality sector, which has led to there being an industry-wide staff shortage, the scholarship will help Scotland’s up-andcoming culinary talent gain vital skills.
Open to students in first, second and third year studying on the college’s professional cookery or hospitality courses, the shortlisting will take place in March 2022 with the award presented to three students in the summer.
Created by lifetime education ambassador John Mcgee, who works across Scotland’s colleges to connect curriculum to the student experience, John collaborated with both the college and chef John Benson-smith to create the scholarship.
John Mcgee says: “We’re really struggling in hospitality and are 100,000 chefs short across the industry. We really need to get these students, who do fantastic work
“At Dundee and Angus College, Kichelle Williamsrobinson and Sara Long, who lead the college’s hospitality and professional cookery curriculum, are just incredible.
“I thought if there is an opportunity to create a scholarship in Scotland, why do we want to keep it to just one college and one community?
“So rather than just keep it at West Lothian College, I asked John how he felt about opening it up to other colleges, too.”
The three successful students who achieve the award next July will receive numerous benefits, including once-in-alifetime educational experiences, a bespoke chef’s jacket and employment opportunities, including chef opportunities in local hotels.
Known most recently for being a former judge on BBC’S Masterchef, John Benson-smith has had a varied career, including being the original flavour designer for Walker Sensations crisps.
“John is a chef in his own right as well as a business person. His profile is quite unique,” adds John Mcgee.
“He came back to me and said he was really up for creating the scholarship.
“Currently, he’s working in an establishment in Perthshire, so he is spending a lot of time now in Scotland.
“We met with Dundee and Angus College and their students, which was just an amazing experience.
“The professionalism of the hospitality team in Dundee and Angus is untouchable. They’re brilliant.
“I worked then with the college to get the ball rolling on the scholarship.
“It’s not just to do with what comes out the pan or the oven, it’s also about a student’s attitude, how they got there and what’s a challenge for them.”
Dundee and Angus College will be the first in Scotland to offer the John Benson-smith scholarship to students, with others on track to follow suit in the coming years.
John Mcgee says: “We’ve lost a lot of people from the industry for various different reasons, so we need to upskill our existing workforce and embrace people who want to change their career.”