Michelin Chefs Launch Staff Swap Initiative

British chefs Paul Ainsworth and Tommy Banks have launched a new staff exchange programme which offers their front and back of house staff the opportunity to swap restaurants for a week and experience other ways of working whilst developing new skills.

Paul Ainsworth, from Number 6 in Padstow, Cornwall in the South West and Tommy Banks from The Black Swan at Oldstead in the North, both Michelin-starred restaurants, launched the sector’s first exclusive employee exchange programme this month, encouraged by the businesses' similarities and differences. Three swaps have already taken place, with a further seven scheduled for 2022.

While both restaurants have a similar family-run feel and passion for local produce, the duo felt that changes of scenery would help participants discover new techniques, suppliers and ways of working during their week's exchange.

At Tommy Banks Group in Yorkshire staff might be exposed to foraging and preserving, farming and growing, housekeeping, and e-commerce and operations, whilst down in Cornwall, employees might learn more about pastry, guest relations, front of house at Ainsworth's Caffè Rojano or how to use social media.

Speaking of the new programme Ainsworth said: "We want to fast track this and give our team a more holistic view of the industry, which comes with experiencing other companies". Banks acknowledged that it was time to give front of house staff an opportunity to develop professionally, building on the traditional 'stage' concept historically undertaken by chefs.

At a time when the industry is struggling to recruit and retain staff, the innovation offers staff greater growth and professional development within the sector. Those taking part can choose to rotate through the business or hone in on one particular restaurant within the organisation, and every visit includes accommodation and extensive supplier visits.

Will the success of this programme set the tone for more staff exchange programmes to come?