A NEW mentoring scheme has been launched at Blackburn College to help prepare students for a career within the catering industry.

Blackburn based chef recruitment business CJUK are launching the scheme which will give students access to mentors and work placements within a professional working environment.

Michelle Mellor, of CJUK Chefs said: “We want to raise more meaningful ways of entering the catering industry.

“It’s a challenging sector to work in and interim chefs have quite a negative reputation.

“We are really keen to change this.”

Chef Christopher Jones, who spoke to the students at a launch event, said: "The mentoring scheme encourages further links between industry and education.

“We hope that it will help to raise the profile of interim chefs and prepare students for flexible and rewarding careers.”