Project: Fifteen Cornwall

Fifteen Cornwall is part of the concept created by chef Jamie Oliver and offers young people the chance to change their lives and train as chefs. It is run by the charity Cornwall Foundation of Promise.





Project feature

Each year Fifteen Cornwall gives up to 20 trainee chefs the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn their lives around. The training starts at Cornwall College, with 12 weeks full-time education, work placement with monitoring and assessment, and 50 weeks of work-based training at Fifteen Cornwall supported by professional chefs and one-to-one training and support.

With stunning views over a two-mile beach and an exciting menu of modern Mediterranean-style dishes using high-quality local produce, the restaurant is dedicated to the same inspirational social enterprise goals as set out by Jamie Oliver and the team at Fifteen London. All profits from Fifteen Cornwall go to the registered charity, The Cornwall Foundation of Promise, whose purpose is to is the creation of fantastic career opportunities for disadvantaged young people and helping them every step of the way to achieve their potential.

The project also provides a valuable boost to Cornwall's tourism industry and makes use of the abundance of high-quality food producers in the region.

Over £545k from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund was invested in the capital build of the Fifteen restaurant and training facilities, matched with £482k from the South West RDA.

Awards include:

2009 Employer Committed to the Welfare to Work Agenda, Cornwall Works WISE Awards

2008 Taste of England Gold Award, Enjoy England Awards

2008 Best project under £2 million - Michelmores and Western Morning News' Commercial Property Awards

2007 Best Location Readers' Award - Observer Food Monthly Waitrose Food Awards

2007 Gold Award in the Taste of the South West category at the South West Tourism's Excellence Awards.




Contact details

Dave Meneer, Chief executive Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
Fifteen Cornwall, On The Beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA
(01637) 861000




Key project message

Carleen Kelemen, director of the Convergence partnership Office said: 'A key part of strengthening this region's economy is to encourage people from all walks of life into work by offering support and training. Fifteen Cornwall is an iconic and successful example of partnership working at its best.'




Project impact

Natalie Dale, one of the 2009 Fifteen Cornwall Graduates explains the Fifteen Cornwall impact on her life:

'Several people had suggested Fifteen Cornwall to me when I was unemployed and living in a hostel. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I had nothing to lose by applying. I didn't know what to expect at all, but it has been fantastic, it's definitely put me on the right path. I've learnt not to give up when things get tough - the course was really hard at times but I always wanted to be here. It's been amazing how much I can do when I give something my all.

'My mum thinks that it's been brilliant for me. She couldn't be prouder - she's got her daughter back instead of the horrid person I felt like I was before Fifteen Cornwall. I've overcome so many problems and difficulties and I'm a better person for it.'




Key data

  • Region: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
  • Sub-regions: Cornwall
  • Objective: Convergence
  • Priority area: 4: Tackling barriers to employment
  • Themes:
  • Co-financer: Skills Funding Agency and Department of Work and Pensions
  • Lead partner: Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
  • Partner organisations: Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
  • Key sectors:
    • Hospitality and leisure
  • Activities:
    • Partnerships, networks and initiatives
  • Key target groups:
    • Young people
  • Funding: £218k from JCP ESF co-financing and £250k from LSC co-financing.
  • Start date: Opened in 2006.
  • End date: Ongoing
  • Project web site: http://www.fifteencornwall.co.uk