Josie Milicevic, a 19-year-old Northampton College student will spend up to four weeks at Raymond Blanc’s Michelin-starred Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire on a work placement scheme later this year.

Josie, the college’s Student Chef of the Year, is the first beneficiary of the Jeff Whitaker Award. Jeff was the founder of Whitco and the annual award is part of a programme of wider support for the county’s food and drink sector. Josie works at The Plough in Shutlanger. 

She said: “It’s an incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve loved food all my life and it’s all I want to do. I really enjoy working with good quality meats like duck and steak and this is an amazing opportunity to experience life in a Michelin-starred kitchen. It’s a dream come true.” 

Additionally, Level 3 student Brandon Wilkinson, 20, will receive a year’s mentoring and guidance from the Whitco team. This will help Brandon, pictured above with Josie and Vita whitaker of Whitco, to establish himself in the hospitality and catering industry while he completes the second year of his course. The money will also be used to enable a group of students to experience fine dining and five-star service at a leading London hotel.