Some of you will know that we were lucky enough to take on a brilliant apprentice chef – Ben – two years ago, who is now about to graduate. Ben’s apprenticeship, in his own words, has been “a life-changing experience”. Although Ben will continue to work with us, we would like to offer another young person the same opportunities as him.

Below you will find details of this apprenticeship. If you know a young person (aged 16-25) who is thinking about their next step on life and who might be interested in working in food and hospitality, then please pass on our details below. This is genuinely an AMAZING opportunity for one young person to change their life…

Chef Apprenticeship at Strawberry Tree & Exeter College

Strawberry Tree, the Spanish Tapas Restaurant & Cookery School in Lyme Regis, is offering a new 18-month Level 2 Professional Chef Apprenticeship to a young person.

As our current apprentice chef graduates this year (Congratulations Ben!), we are offering a unique opportunity to step into one of the South-West’s most popular eateries and start an incredible career in our successful restaurant.

Exeter College

You will study one day a week at Exeter College, one of the leading hospitality colleges in the UK and frequently recognized for excellence in vocational training. It is the only FE college in Devon to be ranked as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and is ranked No. 1 in the South West for employer satisfaction in apprenticeships. Your apprenticeship will be fully financed and you will even be paid by us while you study. While not studying, you will work four days a week in our busy restaurant, learning and being trained on-the-job.

Strawberry Tree

Strawberry Tree is a successful Spanish tapas restaurant and cookery school in the stunning Town Mill complex in Lyme Regis. Its owners work in the business and it is proudly independent. The restaurant is six years old and specialises in Spanish tapas and small plates, using outstanding ingredients and bold flavours.

Benefits & Perks

We believe in investing in our apprentices. For example, over the last 18 months, our current apprentice has spent three separate ‘stage’ weeks, paid for by Strawberry Tree: At a Spanish restaurant in Spain; A modern British restaurant in Gibraltar; and at Raymond Blanc’s 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Other benefits include:

-       Generous pay structure

-       Full share of monthly tips

-       ‘Stage’ opportunities at other restaurants (UK and abroad)

-       Daily staff lunch

-       Seasonal staff parties

-       15% discount in our shop

-       Great coffee and learning some Spanish!

Start Date

The apprenticeship start date can be flexible, but would ideally be mid-March 2026. 

We believe in investing in people who want to be with us long term. This is an incredible opportunity for a young person to get an amazing flying start to a career in food and hospitality - one of the few sectors that will not be taken over by AI!

If this sounds like you, or if you know someone that might be interested, then send your CV to info@strawberry-tree.co.uk or for more information, call us on 01297 445757.