To mark Hospitality Apprenticeships Week, we chatted with Ray Brown, Chef Manager for ESS Energy, who is on the Compass Scotland Elevate programme and working towards a Hospitality Supervision and Leadership apprenticeship at SCQF Level 7.
Could you talk us through your career so far?
I’ve been a chef for 26 years, previously working in hotels, restaurants and bars before joining contract catering in the Energy sector in 2011. I made the move to achieve a better work-life balance, dropping a level initially with the intention of building a long-term career. Working for a few competitors, I managed a section then managed a kitchen before taking a head chef role with ESS in 2023. I haven’t looked back and am now in a chef manager position – the team are fantastic, I feel so well supported and there is brilliant scope to progress.
Throughout my culinary career, all my training has been completed on the job. At the start of this year, an opportunity came up to apply for Compass’ Elevate programme – a course specifically designed for senior chefs with an apprenticeship (Hospitality Supervision and Leadership at SCQF Level 7) running alongside it. I was proud that one of the management team had put me forward and I absolutely jumped at the chance – pursuing anything that will build my knowledge and give me new skills feels like a no-brainer to me!
Tell us a bit about Elevate.
The selection process was quite nerve-wracking! We went to Glasgow College and had to complete various tasks – teambuilding, a cook off and creating a dish using a mystery box of ingredients – all while being observed by senior managers and the Compass apprenticeship team. I’m happy doing these things in my own kitchen, but it was stepping out of my comfort zone to be watched and assessed. There was a bit of a wait after the selection day, and I was thrilled when I got the call to say I’d been successful!
I started the apprenticeship in May, and it involves a series of units focused on key elements of managing catering operations including health and safety, team management and commercial processes. It’s a combination of learning new things and reinforcing what I already do – you can be doing something in a certain way without knowing all the reasons why, so putting context and structure around the different elements is really useful.
For Elevate, we’ve met three times now and done a different activity on each occasion, including visiting The Stables in Edinburgh to see cooking demonstrations and going to Gleneagles to meet Steven McLaughlin and the team, see the kitchens and visit the gardens. These are amazing experiences that don’t come along every day, so I’m really enjoying it and making the most of them.
Why are apprenticeships important?
Personally, it’s giving me a benchmark to aspire to. It’s filling gaps in my knowledge and giving me new entirely new skills as well. Even when you’ve been in the industry for decades as I have, there is always something else to learn and that’s exciting – it’s a very positive feeling to experience.
Within my kitchen, it’s inspiring members of my team to think about their own career pathways. We have individuals who will suit both practical cookery and management courses, and I can’t wait to support them in the same way that I’m being supported.
The Elevate programme is definitely confidence-building – at the start, you can assume that everyone is better than you, but as you come together as a group, you realise that everyone has their own concerns like that and different strengths and weaknesses. I’m looking forward to facing the challenges head on, and while things like presentations may feel uncomfortable at first, I know that the more I do them, the better it will be for me in the long run.
Are you experiencing any challenges while working and studying?
From a time management perspective, I’m maintaining the boundary between work and home by studying in the office at the end of my working day – there are some late evenings, but it’s definitely worth it. Attendance at the tutor meetings and Elevate events is achievable because I have a fantastic team who I can trust to deliver. When the time comes for them to start their courses, I will be there to support them in the same way.
Do you have any advice for someone considering starting an apprenticeship?
Just do it – if someone is willing to take the time and effort to upskill you, grab the opportunity with both hands! Compass has a great setup: the central apprenticeships team are brilliant, with great communication, organisation and delivery, and all my interactions with Glasgow College have been excellent. I would 100% recommend Elevate, even at this early stage.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
During my career, I’ve worked with some great managers and some not-so-great ones – you can learn a lot from both! Since I started at ESS, I’ve been struck by the positive attitude and capability of the senior team – they are fantastic and I can’t speak highly enough of them. When you take on something extra like Elevate and the apprenticeship, you need to be surrounded by people who are bought into your journey and champion your progression. I have that here – I’ve never reached out and not been helped or supported. It’s a great culture and one I’m committed to paying forward.
