London’s most experienced venue caterer, Moving Venue, has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at mentoring aspiring event professionals. The Moving Venue Catering Academy will provide hands-on experience and training for individuals looking to excel in the dynamic events industry.
Scheduled to begin in September 2024, the six-month program will consist of six modules covering various aspects of event planning and execution, including venue event catering, sales and marketing, and kitchen and menu development. The program will culminate in a Spring/Summer menu showcase, giving mentees the opportunity to collaborate with their mentors and peers and demonstrate their acquired skills.
With four decades of experience catering at London’s iconic venues and leading hospitality events, Moving Venue is committed to shaping the future of the events industry with this pioneering initiative. The program has been designed to not only develop the next generation of event professionals, but also to support Moving Venue’s venue partners. The caterer is currently accredited at over 40 of London’s most popular event venues, including the Natural History Museum, Tower of London, and Science Museum.
The Moving Venue Catering Academy will include workshops, menu development, competitions, and onsite experience across the Moving Venue accredited venue portfolio. By working closely with venue partners, the academy will create unique opportunities for participants to learn directly in the field, gain invaluable insights, and develop professional networks.
The program is open to venue event professionals within Moving Venue’s accredited venue portfolio. It is open to individuals at all levels of their career, from entry-level to venue executives looking to broaden their experience and grow their knowledge of the industry. Venue leaders will have the opportunity to nominate team members and provide a statement as to why their colleague should be considered. A total of ten aspiring venue event professionals will be selected to participate in the academy.
The mentors for the Moving Venue Catering Academy include Chloe Jackson and Ben Paris, Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of Moving Venue, respectively, as well as Creative Marketing Director Abby Squire, Operations Director Lee Bushnell, and Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Hartnett. Students will also have the chance to learn from industry veterans Jonathan Attwood, Moving Venue’s Creative Director with 32 years of experience, and Group Executive Chef David Ridgway, who brings 40 years of experience to the program. These mentors, along with others, will dedicate at least one day per month to nurture the students, with multiple opportunities to shadow Moving Venue professionals at a variety of events.
Upon completion of the program, participants will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully plan and execute a celebration finale marking Moving Venue’s 40th year as London’s most trusted caterer, along with the launch of the Spring/Summer 2025 menu.
Managing Director of Smart Group and Moving Venue, Chloe Jackson, stated, “This feels like the culmination of 40 years at the sharp end of event catering, distilled into a unique program designed entirely to support the next generation of talent for our vibrant industry. We are offering this program without charge to give back to the sector and venue partners that have been instrumental in the success of Moving Venue. We can’t wait to see the young professionals flourish under the guidance of their mentors and join the long list of talent that are now leaders in the industry having started their career journeys at Moving Venue.”
One of the first venues to sign up for the program is the Science Museum. Head of Catering and Events, Ben Lheureux, said, “We are delighted to be taking part in this program and excited to be putting forward a team member for nomination. The events business at the Science Museum relies upon the passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of our team, and we welcome the opportunity to build upon their skills via the academy. Moving Venue has been a trusted accredited supplier of the Science Museum for over 20 years and exclusive catering partner to our dedicated events space Illuminate for 5 years, and we look forward to making the most of that experience as we develop the careers of our employees.”
Lisa Hatswell, Managing Director of Unique Venues of London, commented, “This is an exciting initiative that I am sure will add greatly to the sector. Having worked with London’s iconic venues for many years, I know the importance of having well-rounded, skilled and engaged team members that understand the work of major suppliers such as caterers. The Moving Venue Catering Academy will provide a fantastic platform to develop the next generation of talent, improving events for guests and operators alike.”
For more information on the Moving Venue Catering Academy or to apply, visit www.movingvenueacademy.com or contact academy@movingvenue.com.
The London-based caterer, which celebrates its 40th year in business in 2024, was acquired by owner-operated hospitality business Smart Group in 2015.
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Moving Venue | www.smartgroupltd.co.uk
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