Future stars of event sector to be mentored at the Moving Venue Catering Academy
July 2024
Launching September 2024
London’s most experienced venue caterer, Moving Venue, has revealed the launch of the Moving Venue Catering Academy as it aims to equip aspiring event professionals with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience they need to excel in the dynamic events industry.
Launching in September 2024 and running for six months, the inaugural Moving Venue Catering Academy will consist of six modules covering venue event catering, sales and marketing, planning, operations, provenance and product and kitchen and menu development. The course will culminate in a Spring/Summer menu showcase, where mentees will collaborate with their mentors, and peers, in an event to celebrate the completion of the course, demonstrating their acquired skills and highlighting the food that will be served at spring/summer 2025 events.
With four decades catering at London’s iconic venues and leading hospitality events, Moving Venue is committed to using its position of trust and leadership to shape the future of the events industry with this pioneering initiative. The training and accolade programme has been designed to not only develop the next generation of event professionals, but to support its venue partners. Moving Venue is currently accredited at over 40 of London’s best loved event venues including the Natural History Museum, Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Science Museum.
About the Academy
The programme includes workshops, menu development, competitions, and onsite experience across the Moving Venue accredited venue portfolio, all structured to build proficiency in event planning, execution, and management. By collaborating closely with venue partners, the academy will create unique opportunities for participants to learn directly in the field, gain invaluable insights, and develop professional networks. The programme is open to venue event professionals within Moving Venue’s Accredited venue portfolio. The Moving Venue Catering Academy welcomes mentees who are either entry level within their career or venue executives looking to broaden their experience of event delivery and operations and grow their experience of the wider industry. Venue leaders will have the opportunity to nominate team members and will be required to submit a 250–500-word statement as to why their colleague should be considered. A total of ten aspiring venue event professionals will be selected to take part in the academy.
Academy mentors include Chloe Jackson and Ben Paris, Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of Moving Venue, respectively, as well as Creative Marketing Director Abby Squire, Operations Director Lee Bushnell and Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Hartnett. Students will also have the opportunity to learn from industry veterans Jonathan Attwood, Moving Venue’s Creative Director with 32 years of experience, and Group Executive Chef David Ridgway who brings 40 years of experience to the programme. Collectively and along with the other mentors, of which there are 12 in total, they will dedicate a minimum of one day per month to nurture the students, with multiple opportunities to shadow Moving Venue professionals at a variety of events. Upon completion, participants will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully plan and execute a celebration finale marking Moving Venue’s 40th year as London’s most trusted caterer, along with the launch of the Spring/Summer 2025 menu.
Commenting on the announcement, Smart Group and Moving Venue Managing Director Chloe Jackson, said “this feels like the culmination of 40 years at the sharp end of event catering, distilled into a unique programme designed entirely to support the next generation of talent for our vibrant industry. We are offering this programme without charge and to give back to the sector, and venue partners, that have been instrumental to the success of Moving Venue. We can’t wait to see the young professionals flourish under the guidance of their mentors and join the long list of talent that are now leaders in the industry having started their career journeys at Moving Venue.”
What other industry professionals have to say:
One of the first venues to sign up to the programme is the Science Museum. “We are delighted to be taking part in this programme and excited to be putting forward a team member for nomination. The events business at the Science Museum relies upon the passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of our team, and we welcome the opportunity to build upon their skills via the academy. Moving Venue has been a trusted accredited supplier of the Science Museum for over 20 years and exclusive catering partner to our dedicated events space Illuminate for 5 years, and we look forward to making the most of that experience as we develop the careers of our employees.”
Ben Lheureux, Head of Catering and Events
“This is an exciting initiative that I am sure will add greatly to the sector. Having worked with London’s iconic venues for many years, I know the importance of having well-rounded, skilled and engaged team members that understand the work of major suppliers such as caterers. The Moving Venue Catering Academy will provide a fantastic platform to develop the next generation of talent, improving events for guests and operators alike.”
Lisa Hatswell, Managing Director of Unique Venues of London
Want to learn more or nominate someone?
If you’d like to learn more about the course syllabus or nominate an aspiring venue professional for the academy, please click the link below.