Chef Rachel finds the recipe for success with a Modern Apprenticeship
A talented Aberdonian chef scouted for Michelin-star training on her Modern Apprenticeship also swapped silver service for charitable work to feed over 10,000 people.
Rachel Michie joined ESS, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, when she was 16 and works across the energy, government and infrastructure sectors.
She applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery SCQF Level 5 because she knew it would enable her to learn on the job.
Commis chef Rachel, 27, said: “I really enjoyed cooking with Mum when I was younger and now I love using the skills and techniques I’ve learned on my apprenticeship to create new dishes for clients.”
Rachel’s tasks include supporting the sous chef and chef manager with all aspects of food preparation, and she is responsible for high standard main course and soups. She also supports the wider business, including police and government clients with high-profile events, executive dinners and fine dining events.
Doing the Modern Apprenticeship encouraged Rachel to push herself outside her comfort zone and led to fantastic personal achievements.
In June 2023 she was selected for a 12-week internship working alongside chef Stevie McLaughlin at two Michelin-starred Restaurant Andrew Fairlie – an opportunity she describes as ‘the best experience ever’.
Rachel said: “I absolutely loved learning how they work and being able to bring that experience back to my workplace and show what I had learned.”
Rachel regularly supports events outside her day-to-day role, and in 2023 alone, she helped to prepare over 10,000 meals for charities across Aberdeenshire. This included joining a team of ESS volunteers that Christmas to prepare and deliver 4,500 meals for those in need.
Rachel explained: “I feel happy and proud to help local charities and I know the people we cook for really appreciate the food and that it makes a difference.”
Rachel also joined a team of senior chefs to prepare a spectacular meal for guests attending the ESS Global Forum and worked with Compass Scotland’s regional executive chef at EICC – one of Edinburgh’s largest conference centres – for International Women’s Day.
Rachel has won a host of awards, including two gold and best in class medals and three special awards at the International Salon Culinaire and was AHS Cookery Apprentice of the Year in 2024.
The former Portlethen Academy pupil attends school careers fairs, sharing her journey and encouraging young people to consider careers in hospitality.
Rachel said: “My confidence, communication and organisational skills are so much better as a result of doing the Modern Apprenticeship.
“Being able to work, earn and learn at the same time means I have been able to buy a car to get to work and I am now saving up for a house.”
Rachel’s achievements have inspired her to do a second Modern Apprenticeship – Professional Cookery L3 SCQF 6 – and take her career to the next level.
They also led to her being a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 5 category sponsored by Arnold Clark.
David Hay, Compass Scotland Managing Director, said: “Rachel is fantastic – she has a has a real passion for cooking and an aptitude for learning and development. Her confidence has improved hugely, and her career goes from strength to strength.
“Our parent company is working towards ‘Our Social Promise’, a commitment to positively impact one million lives by 2030, and our apprenticeship programme really supports that. It’s a fantastic way for us to attract young people into the business, grow our own talent and support local communities.
“Apprenticeships enable your team to develop new skills and help bridge gaps in your business, so that people can grow within their roles and progress within the company, which boosts loyalty and helps staff retention too.”
Ronnie Kelman, Managing Director of ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure said: “We’re incredibly proud of Rachel and everything she has achieved during her career with ESS. As well as her success on her apprenticeship journey and some outstanding competition results, Rachel is simply a brilliant member of our team. She works hard to enhance her skills, is always keen to learn, continually wows us with her creativity and is great at collaborating with others.
“Within ESS and the wider Compass business, we’re committed to developing our people and supporting them to progress in their careers. Rachel is a shining example of what can be accomplished by making the most of these opportunities and we can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Modern Apprenticeships and apprentices are made for business, developed with employers to provide skills in demand. They are jobs open to anyone aged 16 and over who wants to work, learn and earn.
Modern Apprentices spend most of their time learning in the workplace while being supported by a learning provider, like a college, to gain an industry recognised qualification.
Lauren MacPhail, Assessor for Professional Cookery and Hospitality, City of Glasgow College, said: “Rachel was an excellent candidate, and it was a pleasure to be involved with her progress. She completed her work timeously and went above and beyond to plan her dishes, taking great pride in doing so.”
The winner of the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 5 category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot.