A celebrity chef and Kent restaurant owner has announced he is launching an initiative which will train staff in hospitality.

Richard Phillips is partnering with Byanise to create the Richard Phillips Partnership (RPP), a network which will create and encourage staff training and improved services.

Richard owns three establishments in the county; Thackeray’s, a Michelin Star restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, The Pearson’s Arms in Whitstable and the Windmill in Hollingbourne.This scheme will offer a number of work placements and training opportunities in the hospitality industry - it also aims to work at some of the finest establishments across the region.

Training placements at RRP can last up to three years, an alternative to the generic 12 months apprentices are usually offered.

The training will not just be limited to those beginning a career in hospitality, as staff members already in front and back of house have the opportunity to receive a refresh course.

HIT Training will also be working alongside this initiative, as they aim to acheive nationally recognised qualifications.

The star chef is already an established restaurateur in the county and has starred in a number of daytime TV shows, including Ready Steady Cook, now making regular appearances on ITV’s Lorraine.

Lisajane Davies, managing director of Byanise Ltd has had a hand in the partnership, and she will provide all of the commercial management for RPP. She has marketing and sales experience in her current role as MD of Bynaise.

A business consultant with years of hospitality experience will head up the on site training side of the partnership, Zena Cooper, currently works with HIT Training who have the qualification frameworks in place to deliver training to the traineeships.

Richard Phillips Partnership aims to improve the career prospects for young people in the industry of hospitality, as well as reducing recruiting costs which they say are ‘exorbitant’.

The official launch date will be in July this year.