Borough Market hosts School Apprentice Challenge

Forget Alan Sugar, Borough Market is set to take on some apprentices of its own, as students from St Paul’s Way Trust School become traders for the day.

A major new programme launched in 2015 to help children learn enterprise and employability skills, the Schools Enterprise Challenge is part of the government’s initiative to boost careers in the leisure, tourism and hospitality industry. Part of the Urban Food Fortnight, the celebration of the capital’s greatest locally-produced food and drink, the Schools Apprentice Challenge will see students creating their own dishes and selling local honey to develop their enterprise skills and allow them to experience life as a Borough Market trader.

The market’s demo kitchen will become the Enterprise Kitchen for the day on Wednesday 23rd September, as students supported by Food Academy will be whipping up delicious Bangladeshi street food, in a celebration of their multicultural school community. A recipe card will be given out on the day. Local honey, extracted and bottled by the students themselves, will also be for sale.

The challenge is designed to use the food sector and busy market environment to inspire the students and their community to think about entrepreneurship. Students will have the opportunity to carry out market research into the public appetite for their food enterprise.

Borough Market MD, Keith Davis, Chair, said: “Borough Market has long been passionate about the importance of local, seasonal eating and bringing communities together. This project is a fantastic opportunity for us to work together with local youngsters, allowing them to learn more about the food business and get a real taste of what it’s like to work as a trader at Borough Market. We’re delighted to work with such a great project as part of our celebrations of the Urban Food Fortnight.”

The School Apprentice Challenge will be taking place in the Market Hall of Borough Market on Wednesday 23rd September, over the busy lunchtime period. Honey will be available to purchase for £4.50, with all proceeds going to the St Paul’s Way Trust.