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Lancaster & Ting pick up top honours
alongside Harry Murray MBE

Chloe Lancaster and Fu Jian Ting were named as joint winners of the Purple Umbrella Award at a high-profile ceremony held at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London last week.

Apprentices Lancaster and Ting were presented with the major titles, alongside Harry Murray, managing director of Lucknam Park, who received a special award for his own contribution to the development of apprentices in the industry. They were joined by nine other winners from across the UK’s hospitality sector.

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The event, held by Umbrella Training, recognises top hospitality apprentices across the UK and is judged by a panel of respected individuals from the sector. The awards are presented to talented chefs, team members, supervisors and managers for their commitment to lifelong learning and their achievements over the past 12–18 months.

Lancaster, who works as a commis chef apprentice at The New Forest Hotels was commended for her commitment to both her own and the personal development of others, her leadership skills and for achieving a distinction grade. Ting, a commis chef apprentice from The Pig Hotel was named as the winner for his dedication to learning as well as his exceptional cooking ability.

Ting has achieved distinction grade and demonstrated his commitment to the continuous development of his culinary skills. Umbrella Training currently has more than 400 apprentices across levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 on hospitality and management apprenticeship programmes.

From the apprentices who have historically completed their programmes, 70% have moved into aspirational positions or have been promoted in the last six months. It comes as hospitality as a sector reported a record 15,000 new apprenticeship starts, up 15% year on year and bucking the national trend.

Winners were presented their awards by Dave Berry from Absolute Radio, Holly Langan (last year’s winner) and Adele Oxberry, founder and managing director of Umbrella Training.

“Apprenticeship schemes provide people with meaningful opportunities to develop the skills and experience needed for a fulfilling and exciting career in hospitality.

That’s why the incredible level of talent on display among this year’s Purple Umbrella Awards finalists and winners was so exciting and inspiring. We are immensely proud of everyone.”