ARAMARK UK CROWNS 2025 CHEF OF THE YEAR

Aramark UK has named Stuart Fildes, Executive Chef within its Education & Healthcare sector, as its 2025 Chef of the Year. This annual competition challenges chefs from across the business, spanning various sectors and companies, to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the winning title.

A key event in Aramark’s annual calendar, the competition aims to inspire and nurture chef talent while promoting creativity and originality. Following a rigorous application process, nine finalists earned their place in the final held at New College Durham. They were tasked with creating a three-course menu for four people, including a vegan starter, using mystery ingredients provided the day before the event. The chefs were evaluated not only on the imagination and modernity of their menus but also on their demonstration of seasonality, sustainability, and minimal waste.

All the finalists impressed the judges with their remarkable dishes. However, it was Stuart Fildes’ inventive menu that secured the victory, earning him the title of Chef of the Year.

Stuart’s menu included ‘Fishing For Gold’, an immersive starter inspired by Japanese koi ponds with a Shanghai-style crystal dumpling accompanied by a QR code activating sound effects and ‘fish food’ enhancing the theatre of the dish. Following this was a ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ venison main and an ‘Autumn Terrarium’ dessert.

Winning Aramark UK Chef of the Year qualifies Stuart to compete in Aramark’s prestigious global competition, the International Chefs’ Cup, to be held in Shanghai, China, later this year.

On his win, Stuart said: “I’m in shock. Getting to participate in the final and flex my fine dining skills has been a true test, and I’m so pleased with how it’s gone. The level of skill amongst the finalists was super high, and to have been named Chef of the Year is both unexpected and such an honour. I can’t wait to get to Shanghai and hopefully bring it home for the UK.”

Michelle Trusselle, Head of Culinary for Craft and Chef Development, added: “The calibre of cooking on display was truly outstanding. Stuart showed remarkable composure under pressure and delivered dishes that were not only visually spectacular but also burst with incredible flavours. The attention to detail and technical skill demonstrated throughout the competition was a masterclass in culinary excellence.”

New College Durham is Celebrating an Award as Medium Training Provider of the Year!

New College Durham is absolutely thrilled to share that we've been awarded the Medium Training Provider of the Year at this year’s Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Training Provider Awards!

This marks the ninth year that these awards highlight the incredible success and commitment of training providers, tutors, and students, showcasing the positive impact they have in the field.

Jennifer Fullard, Head of School for Travel, Digital, Professional and Management at New College Durham, shared her excitement:
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in delivering our AAT sanctioned courses. It’s absolutely fantastic that their hard work has been recognised with such a prestigious award! Each member of our team has demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication both in the classroom and in the workplace, and this award is a wonderful endorsement of their exceptional status in accountancy education.”

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is the professional body for accounting technicians and bookkeepers. It is also the largest awarding organisation for accountancy qualifications in the UK, with more than 70,000 individuals currently studying towards AAT qualifications, short courses, and CPD modules.

Most AAT students learn through a wonderful network of affiliated training providers. As part of the AAT community, our nearly 124,000 members and students belong to an inclusive association of accountancy professionals from around the globe.

Lecturer Devonne Burn and ASC Georgia Wood proudly accepted the award on behalf of New College Durham.

Devonne shared, “It was such a privilege to represent our team at this year’s conference and awards ceremony. Being a finalist for an AAT Training Provider Award is a fantastic achievement in itself, and we’re incredibly proud to have joined the select few who have won a top prize!

AAT qualifications are open to anyone with the ambition and determination to succeed, and the team here at New College Durham is ready to support you every step of the way. If you’re considering a career in accountancy, I encourage you to get in touch and discover what amazing opportunities we can offer you!"

New College Durham welcomes a New Head of School

We are delighted to announce that we have been joined by Simon Muschamp as our New Head of School for Construction, Automotive & Plumbing.

The school teaches bricklayers, carpenters/joiners, property maintenance operatives, painters & decorators, motor vehicle technicians and plumbers from entry level to level three, with almost half of the students taking part in an apprenticeship. 

Simon is an experienced Head of School with nearly 20 years of experience in Further Education. Up until his most recent position in Sunderland, he had worked in colleges all over the North of England looking after Construction, Engineering, Automotive and Sports/Public Services departments.

Speaking shortly after his appointment, Simon praised the welcoming atmosphere at New College Durham, saying: “I am passionate about delivering high quality and education for all my students and ensuring that everyone maximises the time they spend with us. The aim is that everyone develops the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to progress to the next level of study or gain an apprenticeship or employment. 

Apart from the outstanding facilities and equipment available here at the college, the main reason I took up this post is all the lecturers have come from the trades themselves. They, like me, take deep pride in supporting our students to find their path and develop their practical skills, knowledge, and behaviours to get them work ready.”

Simon started working in Further Education at Grimsby College in the Plumbing department before gaining a BA (Hons) in Education and Training and then attaining a Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management which aided his progression into management roles.

Due to the need to update existing buildings, methods of transport and the way new construction projects are undertaken to meet net zero targets, New College Durham are at the vanguard of the emerging curriculum area in Green Skills.  This covers aspects such as retrofit, heat pump installation & repair, electric vehicles and hydrogen gas projects.

Simon added: “The recent developments in the curriculum areas are a welcome challenge. I have been heavily involved in the introduction of T-Levels, the set-up of new buildings and satellite centers and more recently the evolution of renewable technologies, and the retrofit and modern methods of construction sectors. I'm looking forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to this developing education sector.”

Outside of work Simon enjoys walking, finding a nice country pub, cooking, and watching a good film. Living on the outskirts of Durham with his fiancé for the last four years the couple love to explore everything the North East has to offer.

Charlie Jones Shines at His Tasting Event at New College Durham

Charlie Jones has always dreamt of making his mark in the culinary world. As a catering student here at New College Durham, he dedicated countless hours to honing his skills, experimenting with flavours, and unleashing his creativity. But nothing could have prepared him for this exciting milestone—his very own tasting event at the college’s celebrated training restaurant, The Copper Pot.

When his Tutor, Lynn Mitchinson, presented him with this fantastic opportunity, Charlie dove into the challenge with enthusiasm and determination. He wanted this evening to be truly special, showcasing his passion and skill. His vision? A thoughtfully crafted six-course tasting menu that would highlight both his technical prowess and his love for bold flavours.

Developing the menu was an exciting journey! Charlie aimed for balance, variety, and a delightful progression of flavours from start to finish. After weeks of refining his ideas, he settled on a menu that he was truly proud of.

With the menu all set, Charlie got to work on ordering the ingredients. He carefully sourced the freshest seafood, the highest-quality meat, and the ripest vegetables. His planning was meticulous, right down to the last gram of salt. The kitchen team, his fellow students, looked on in admiration as he organised every detail—assigning tasks, checking stock levels, and making sure that everything was just right.

As the day of the event arrived, a sense of calm confidence washed over Charlie. He had practised each dish and trained his team. Now, it was time to shine.

Guests began filling The Copper Pot Restaurant, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation, among them were Charlie’s biggest supporters, his proud parents, Course by course, the plates left the kitchen,

Everyone attending complimented the arrival of course, each dish a vibrant masterpiece of colour and precision. As the evening came to a close, Charlie stepped out of the kitchen to a warm round of applause.

Tutor, Lynn Mitchinson, shared her thoughts, saying,

“Charlie has shown exceptional dedication and professionalism in planning and executing this event. His ability to create a well-balanced and sophisticated menu, source top-notch ingredients, and manage all the logistics of the evening is truly impressive.

Charlie’s meticulous approach to preparation, including carefully ordering ingredients, showcases a level of commitment that goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a student at this stage in their career. His leadership in the kitchen, ensuring tasks were allocated efficiently, is a clear sign of his bright future in the industry. The tasting menu was thoughtfully structured, offering a delightful journey of flavours that showcased a variety of techniques and ingredients.

Charlie’s performance at this event has set a wonderful example for fellow aspiring chefs at New College Durham. His dedication, strong work ethic, and culinary talent will undoubtedly take him far in the hospitality industry.”

Charlie added:

" As soon as I finished secondary school, I jumped straight into the industry at first clearing tables at a café, and then working in hotels. I've gained a lot of invaluable experience having worked in all kinds of restaurants and alongside some of the best chefs in the country. But as I stepped into college on level 1, my dream transformed into a passion, an obsession I knew I would carry for the rest of my life.

Starting at the bottom is essential, no matter what prior experience you may think you have; beginning at level 1 is key. You might think it’s a walk in the park at first, but I promise you, the tasks and lessons waiting for you will widen your eyes.

I’ve faced my fair share of doubts about becoming a chef, as many do in their careers, but just keep pushing through. This field of work holds the keys to a lifetime of adventure. It can take you around the globe, letting you experience all sorts of cultures and cuisines. So don’t stop now, just keep going!

And to leave you with a quote both I and Gordon Ramsay live by, which I hope you will too, it’s about being prepared for those stressful moments—those times when you want to shout, scream, and quit on the spot. This is for those moments when you feel like giving up, and it goes like this…

“Don’t run from the storm, learn to dance in the rain.”

New College Durham achieves recognition as an Accredited Living Wage Employer

New College Durham (NCD) has been officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer, reinforcing its commitment to its more than 600 staff both directly employed and subcontracted. NCD is leading the way in joining the movement to tackle low pay in County Durham and is the third largest employer in County Durham to gain Living Wage accreditation.

The real Living Wage, unlike the government’s minimum wage, is independently calculated based on the actual cost of living. Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered over £3.5 billion in additional wages to low-paid workers across the UK, helping to reduce in-work poverty and improve financial security for thousands of families.

Elaine Bonham, Executive Director of HR and Corporate Services at New College Durham, said:

“Fairness and transparency are at the heart of our commitment to our staff, and I urge other local employers across the region to join us in taking similar steps to address in-work poverty. The college recognise that the impact of poverty goes beyond the staff member and impacts on their families. The college was keen adopt the real Living Wage, given its alignment to our core values and supports our wider aspiration to be an employer of first choice in County Durham.”

Across the UK, too many working families continue to struggle to afford the basics, whilst North East communities suffer from some of the highest rates of child poverty:

· 63% of children and working-age adults in poverty in 2022/23 lived in families where at least one adult was working part-time or more, up from 56% in 2012/13 and 44% in 1996/97*

· 17% of children and working-age adults in poverty in 2022/23 lived in families where all adults were working and at least one adult was working full time (referred to here as high work intensity families), which is up from 13% in 2012/13 and 9% in 1996/97*

* Source: Health Foundation analysis of DWP data (1996-2023).

David Van der Velde, Programme Manager at the Living Wage Foundation, added:

"New College Durham’s commitment to the real Living Wage is a significant step in tackling in-work poverty and setting a strong example for employers across the North East. With child poverty rates remaining high in the region, fair pay is essential, not just for workers, but for their families, communities, and the local economy.

There is still a long way to go in addressing low pay but Living Wage employers are leading the way. Paying the real Living Wage isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens businesses, boosts the local economy, and creates more resilient communities. We applaud New College Durham and all accredited employers for their leadership in championing fair pay."

New College Durham Celebrates Double National Award Nominations

New College Durham is proud to announce that it reached the final judging panel for two prestigious national awards! The college considers itself honoured by nominations for both the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the AoC Beacon Award for Widening Participation.

The AoC Beacon Awards are a celebration of exceptional practice, groundbreaking innovation, sustainability, and the profound impact of outstanding teaching and learning.

The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) proudly recognises remarkable achievements in teaching, learning, and supporting learners who are speakers of languages other than English, embarking on the journey of mastering English as a second language.

In response to the surging demand for ESOL education, the college was nominated for its innovative, impactful approach of harnessing a shared passion for sport to boost attendance, enhance engagement in the classroom, and pave the way for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to integrate into the college and the wider community.

Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham, Andy Broadbent, said:

“Our students hail from a vast array of countries, many of whom have faced trauma, loss of childhood, and separation from their families. Yet, amidst these challenges, they unite in their love for sport, particularly football and cricket.”

Collaborating with a local premier league football club and the city’s cricket club, the college launched sessions beyond lesson times, opening the door to all students eager to play.

Andy added, “The results we saw were nothing short of extraordinary. Attendance levels soared, and an impressive 100% of participants excelled in their end-of-year external speaking and listening assessments (Trinity College London). Despite missing out on the top award, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff and project partners for their dedicated commitment to making a real difference in the lives of these young people.”

New College Durham also reached the final judging panel for The Association of Colleges (AoC) Award for Widening Participation

The AoC Award for Widening Participation shines a spotlight on exemplary initiatives that break down barriers to learning and progression for groups often under-represented in further education.

Last year, New College Durham (NCD) forged a powerful partnership with Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre (SBIC) aimed at tackling the acute shortage of educational professionals in the region, with a particular focus on addressing teaching assistant vacancies.

By embedding education directly within community settings, this ground-breaking initiative broke down barriers such as transportation and cultural differences, making learning opportunities not just accessible, but inviting.

Deputy Principal of New College Durham, Alison Maynard, added:

“Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to reflect and respect the cultural and social contexts of our learners. We offer courses that resonate with their daily lives and future aspirations. Programmes such as health and social care, mental health awareness, teaching qualifications and safeguarding, reinforce the transformative power of education in enhancing quality of life and opening doors to opportunity.”

This initiative has significantly boosted engagement and participation among underrepresented groups, including women and ethnic minorities. Over 200 learners from these communities have joined the programme, many stepping into formal education for the first time. This remarkable uptake underscores the programme’s effective outreach and inclusivity, dismantling traditional barriers and nurturing a culture of learning within diverse populations. Supporting the programme was also Nur Fitness, an award-winning community organisation which is very passionate and dedicated to helping women & children become healthier, both physically and mentally along with improving self-esteem and confidence.

NUR work with all women but specialise in working with the BME community, with their multi-lingual staff they take pride in catering for all cultural needs.

Alison concluded, “This initiative, created by New College Durham and realised through robust partnership with Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre, has demonstrated the phenomenal and uplifting effect that education can have on individuals’ sense of belonging and self-worth.

“We take immense pride in being recognised for these prestigious awards and despite not being victorious this time, I too would like to express my thanks to everyone who has worked hard and shown belief in the benefits of both programmes. They should all take immense pride in being part of such innovative initiatives that are judged at the highest level.”

New College Durham continues the drive to train Social Workers

The college is delighted to announce that we have once again received approval from Social Work England to continue to offer the prestigious Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) in Social Work.  

Social Work England is the specialist regulator focussing on social workers in England. It sets standards, holds a register, quality assures education and investigates complaints with the aim of achieving positive change in social work.  

NCD’s Social Work provision recently underwent a rigorous inspection from Social Work England and has been re-approved. The inspection process takes place every three years and lasts for a minimum of three days. The inspection is designed to ensure that institutions meet education and training standards and covers staff, facilities and learning resources, training placement providers, people with lived experience of social work and students from their admission through to achievements. 

Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal, New College Durham, said, “We are delighted to be continuing to offer our Social Work degree. Here at New College Durham, we’ve been delivering social work programmes for the last 45 years. We began in 1979 by offering the Certificate in Social Service (CSS) course and this programme evolved into the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) in 1991. In 2002 we began offering the Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) in Social Work based primarily in our dedicated University Centre.” 

Gemma Greenwood, Curriculum Manager for Health & Social Care at NCD, said, “The success of the approval process is a true reflection of the effort and dedication of everyone concerned. I’d like to thank every member of our team who have shown great commitment to the group effort, it is this teamwork that will continue to deliver a fantastic level of training to both current and future social work students.” 

Alison added, “The Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) in Social Work is both a popular and respected qualification. Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people's lives. These highly trained professionals are devoted to helping all types of vulnerable people find solutions at times when they need support, care, and protection. I am proud to say that over the last 20 years, we have trained almost 400 of these exceptional professionals and look forward to many more years of delivering this crucial course.” 

NCD celebrates award winning apprentice

New College Durham Celebrates Apprentice Success

Yesterday (Monday 16th December) New College Durham hosted a presentation evening to mark the success of apprentice applications to a charitable trust.

Founded in 1628, The Henry Smith Charity is an independent grant making trust working to combat disadvantage and meet the challenges and opportunities facing people in need throughout the UK. Today, almost four centuries after it was first established, the charity is one of the largest grant-making charities in Britain: distributing £46.4 million in 2023 alone.

Each year the charity aims to provide apprentices who live within a certain catchment area within Durham, a grant, to be used to purchase tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Natasha Francis Director of Apprenticeships and Partnerships at New College Durham said,

“In preparation for the charity’s board meeting, we invited several apprentices who met the strict residency criteria to submit applications to be considered by the trustees. As a result, 9 applications were submitted, and I’m delighted to say that everyone was successful.”

The successful apprentices were.

· Henry Greaves, Lucas Dobson – Motor Vehicle

· Luke Dawson – Carpentry & Joinery

· Jason Richardson, Jake Richardson, Rhys Nicholson - Furniture Manufacturing

· Caine Blakeley – Plumbing and Heating

· Olivia Cara, Ryan Lannon - Hair Professional

Representatives from the charity were there to show support to the apprentices as they received certificates and their grant awards presented by the Mayor of Durham Cllr. Liz Brown.

Ian Mackenzie, Chair of Trustees, The Henry Smith Charity expressed his delight in supporting local apprentices, saying: "The charity is once again thrilled to support local apprentices at the start of their careers here in Durham. Our charity has supported young people at the beginning of their careers since as long ago as the 17th century. This makes the current recipients a welcome part of almost 400 years of history. We wish the new apprentices every success in their future careers."

Natasha added: “This is the 14th year The Henry Smith Charity has supported our apprenticeship programme. Their generosity continues to have a tangible impact on the

lives of our apprentices, providing them with the tools and equipment to excel in their chosen professions. These grants will undoubtedly help them build the foundations for prosperous careers."

New College Durham helping to make sure Christmas is for everybody.