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After moving to the UK and a career break, and then working as a cleaner at Glenfield Hospital, Raquel yearned to become a Chef. Via an apprenticeship through Melton College she joined LSF in July 2015 as a Level 2 Apprentice Chef. After 18 months learning on the job, she was offered a permanent role as Chef within the Loughborough Grammar School catering team, in 2019 she progressed to Chef de Partie, and has recently also taken on the role of Boarding Chef. Always passionate about cooking, her apprenticeship has enabled Raquel to achieve her long held dream to be a Chef but has also given her so much more; confidence in herself and her abilities and pride every time she puts on her whites. There is no doubt that she has worked hard but she has achieved so much and feels her dreams have come true. Raquel’s story is an inspiring one, she has found a role she loves and a wonderful, friendly, and supportive team where she feels part of the family, and now has a better quality of life.

Raquel says, “I have had so many opportunities since I joined the team, everyone has been and continues to be so supportive and I can’t thank them enough! An apprenticeship was the best decision I could have taken for my career”.