Founded in December 2019, Jeff’s Way CIC Limited began as a heartfelt initiative to donate to organizations like the Sea Cadets, Lifeboats, and young chefs, raising £9,000 in its first year. Thanks to creative and sometimes unconventional fundraising efforts, we have continued to build on this success. Today, we are thrilled to be on the verge of achieving Charity status!
Over time, our mission evolved to focus on providing young chefs from Northampton College with invaluable opportunities to expand their culinary education and life experiences. Through Jeff’s Way, these chefs can now add a “Stage” – a professional placement that significantly enriches their CVs – an opportunity they might not have had otherwise.
Our guiding pillars remain Education, Opportunity, and Security – values that were solidified with the support of Adam Mason from CEDA. Contributions from Jeff’s memorial service and CEDA’s conference attendees helped lay the foundation for Jeff’s Way, and we are proud to have donated over £15,000 and presented awards to 12 young chefs for their accomplishments. Among those, we celebrate “Josie,” our first “Stage” student at La Manoir in 2018, who has since launched her own business at just 19.
Today, Jeff’s Way CIC oversees WhitCo’s Test Kitchen and Taste Training Restaurant, which in their inaugural year raised enough through coffee and cake sales to sponsor three more culinary graduates from Northampton College. The Jeff Whitaker Award 2024 was presented to Billie Reynolds, who began her “Stage” at The Dorchester Hotel. This year’s Student Chef of the Year, Alfie Gravett from Northampton College, embarked on his journey with Chef Chris Galvin at his Michelin-starred Galvin Bistrot & Bar and Galvin La Chapelle. We wish them both great success!
Earlier, Chef Kamil Podgorski completed his training under Chef Alain Roux at The Waterside Inn, Bray, and became the first chef to complete our “Masterchef to Masterbusiness” CPD program, developed with the guidance of our Patron, Prof. David Foskett OBE. Through our Supplier Equipment Innovation Days and hands-on experience with cutting-edge catering technology in the Test Kitchen, Kamil learned not only to create exceptional food but also to understand sustainable business practices for the future.
As an SME, WhitCo may be smaller than many corporate competitors, yet we continue to influence others to support young chefs as we have. Pioneers in our field, we bring big ideas, a positive impact, and the strength to overcome challenges. We’re also humble enough to extend our gratitude to our Masterchefs, clients, friends & family, CEDA, FEA, and manufacturers/suppliers who have supported us along the way. And finally, thank you, Jeff Whitaker, for instilling in us that “just enough is NEVER enough.”