William Slater makes the cut at MasterChef winner’s restaurant

William Slater

William Slater landed a dream job as Commis Chef at the up-market Manchester restaurant, Wood, within months of completing a Level 3 Catering and Hospitality course.

Whilst William was studying at Hopwood Hall College’s Riverside Restaurant in Rochdale, 2015 Masterchef winner, Simon Wood, scouted the student run restaurant on the lookout for their best and brightest talents.

Being at the high end of fine dining, only the most skilled and well organised students would have a chance of being offered an interview at Simon’s brand new, Manchester city centre restaurant – Wood.

“I was really surprised to just make the interview stage” explained William, winner of the annual Star of the Year award at his college’s 2016/17 FE Awards.

“Since I started at Wood, my experience has really jumped up to a whole other level.

“This is the very top end of the restaurant industry, so the lessons I have learned in food prep, communication between teams and the constant high level you need to work at has been invaluable.”

Asked how he would describe the start of his career at Wood, William said with pride:

“I feel lucky, but even more than that I feel privileged. To work with someone like Simon Wood is a dream in itself for me, but to work in a restaurant of this high a level of dining at the same time is just amazing.”

As the North West’s only MasterChef winner, Simon expressed his keenness for helping to bring through the area’s next generation of cooking talent:

“I’m a big believer in promoting young talent. We’re right in the centre of Manchester and I want WOOD to reflect that, so what better way than to source our young talent from the surrounding boroughs.

“Obviously Wood offers a fine dining experience that is right at the top of what Manchester has to offer, so we need team members who are dedicated and have a very strong eye for detail.

“William has met those requirements and then some, we’re really impressed by how well he has fit in and knuckled down with the demands of this industry.

“We look forward to William continuing be a part of our story.”