Local recruiters inspired by celebrity chef

Michelle Mellor & Paul Heathcote

Local recruiters will continue their drive for home grown staff following an inspirational speech from celebrity chef, Paul Heathcote.

Rochdale recruitment company, Cummins Mellor, who specialise in employment in the hospitality industry, have long been committed to finding staff in the local area and believe there is a wealth of talent on the doorstep.

Founder of Heathcotes, Paul Heathcote, who himself worked as a chef with the likes of Raymond Blanc, says his Michelin-star, award-winning chain of restaurants are largely thanks to his home grown staff and that his plans for expansion do not involve moving out of the North West.

After selling his house to get a bank loan, to set up the now legendary, Longridge Restaurant, in Preston, in 1990, Heathcotes has become the highest rated restaurant company for training in the UK.

He said: “I wanted to get the ‘wow’ factor into the restaurants which has meant making sure I employ the right people.”

Michelle Mellor, Director of Cummins Mellor, whose business also began in 1990, believes that Paul’s example should positively reinforce local people wanting to work in the catering industry.

She said: “We are passionate about recruiting hospitality staff in the local area and Paul has helped confirm what we already knew about home grown talent.”