CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver's new TV series about creating a new restaurant has struck a chord with a similar operation in Furness.

For the team at the Lake District Training Academy, the Channel Four documentary is almost a mirror image of what they are achieving at Trinity House Hotel, Ulverston.

Academy director Clive Wilson said: "It is just like watching ourselves on TV, and it's encouraging to see that even Jamie Oliver is experiencing many of the problems we encounter on a day-to-day basis."

The TV series followed the recruitment of 15 unemployed aspiring chefs and how they were groomed to work in Jamie Oliver's first restaurant.

"Jamie's Kitchen has been great for us," added Mr Wilson. "Jamie has done exactly what we have been

doing for 18 months and now it is much easier to explain to people

what Trinity House Hotel is all about."

The Lake District Training Academy, which is managed by the Lakeside Hotel, is committed to bridging the gap between those seeking full and part-time jobs and the hundreds of job opportunities in the hospitality industry in the Lake District.

Just like Jamie Oliver's new restaurant, Trinity House Hotel is open to the public for dinner on Thursday to Saturday and for Sunday lunch.

"Our customers are always stunned at the quality of the food and presentation our apprentice chefs are cooking at Trinity House," he added.

Aspiring chefs are offered a one-year apprenticeship which includes college release and leads to a guaranteed job.

The Academy in Ulverston plans to take on six new recruits

shortly. Anyone interested can apply direct to the hotel or visit a job centre.

January 3, 2003 12:00