CTH and Rick Stein’s Cookery School partner to launch specialist fish and shellfish qualification

This collaboration brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to excellence in hospitality education. The result? A specialist qualification that celebrates one of the cornerstones of British food culture—seafood.

Rick Stein has long championed British seafood, helping to shape the nation's appreciation of fish and shellfish. CTH, meanwhile, contributes its expertise in designing high-quality, industry-recognised hospitality qualifications that meet rigorous educational standards. Together, we have created a programme that combines the complementary strengths of both organisations.

The best qualifications are developed alongside industry leaders. Working with the Rick Stein's Cookery School has enabled us to create a programme that reflects genuine professional practice while meeting the high educational standards that CTH is known for around the world. – Steve Beckworth, Director, CTH

Situated on the Cornish coast, where access to exceptional local produce and a rich fishing heritage are part of everyday life, Rick Stein's Cookery School is uniquely placed to deliver authentic, hands-on seafood training, making it an ideal partner for this specialist qualification.

We are extremely lucky to be able to work with some of the very best fish and shellfish that Cornwall and the South West has to offer every day.  We feel as experts in our field that it is vitally important to be able to pass on these skills to future generations of chefs and champion the amazing produce that we have on our doorstep. – Nick Evans, Head Chef Lecturer, Rick Stein's Cookery School

The programme will initially be delivered to in-house staff across the Rick Stein restaurant group, supporting the continued professional development of chefs and hospitality teams while creating clear opportunities for career progression. Following this first phase, the qualification will be made available more widely, enabling aspiring and established chefs from across the industry to benefit from this specialist training.

As hospitality businesses continue to face skills shortages, attracting, developing and retaining talented employees has become a key priority. Investing in structured, recognised training not only enhances technical capability but also improves employee engagement, confidence and long-term retention. Specialist seafood preparation requires knowledge, precision and confidence—skills that can often be difficult to develop without dedicated training.

This partnership reflects a shared vision: to invest in people, raise professional standards and support the long-term sustainability of the hospitality industry by preparing current and future hospitality professionals for successful careers.