Sir David Davis congratulates Joseph Rennard on reaching the semi-finals of prestigious scholarship

As reported in The Hull Daily Mail;

“An aspiring chef who started his career as a pot washer at East Yorkshire’s only Michelin star restaurant is aiming to secure a scholarship at a top London cookery school.

Joseph Rennard, of Willerby, has reached the last 16 of Le Grand Diplôme run by Le Cordon Bleu.

Joseph, 20, who got his first taste of the catering industry when he started as a pot washer at the Pipe and Glass in South Dalton when he was 16, will head to London for his interview on Monday.

Numbers will be whittled down to eight and there will then be a “cook off” between contestants.

He said: “I heard about Le Cordon Bleu and its reputation within the food industry.

“I wouldn’t be able to afford to go without the scholarship.”

Mr Rennard’s time at the Pipe and Glass demonstrated to him the hard work and long hours required to become a chef.

He said: “Whether I finish up working in restaurants or owning restaurants, I would like the knowledge of how to cook food to that standard.

“I know there is a lot of competition. A lot of people are really into their food, as I am.”

As well as working at the Pipe and Glass, Mr Rennard has worked at the Handmade Burger Company in Hull and is now on a Food Business course at University College Birmingham.

His efforts at winning the scholarship, which means an apprenticeship with a leading chef and accommodation in central London worth more than £30,000, are supported by Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis.

Mr Davis said: “I am so pleased to be able to offer my congratulations and support to Joe in gaining a place in the semi-finals of Le Cordon Bleu scholarship. Joe’s passion and determination is truly admirable and I wish him the best of luck in progressing through to the finals of this impressive scholarship.””