Giraffe to open G1 training academy
The new academy, called G1, will open later this month, training staff about the core values of the brand and giving them the key skills they need to work front or back-of-house.
Tesco’s purchase of Giraffe earlier this year moved the group into new territory and founder Russel Joffe says the G1 Academy will be the latest development in a revamped training program, which looks to bring the best people on-board ahead of further UK expansion.
"As we move into our next phase of growth, the new G1 Academy will be the cornerstone of our training programme,” said Joffe. “It will be fostering talent from all over the UK as well as offer an excellent value dining experience to our local and loyal customers."
The G1 Academy will continue to run as a restaurant on Hampstead’s Rosslyn Hill, with priced reduced from the rest of the group. Starters begin at £3.25; mains are from £6.25 and desserts at £3.25.
The restaurant’s menu will change every four weeks; to train staff across the entire repertoire of dishes. The kitchen will run daily specials in additional to some ‘experimental’ items, which may then be rolled out across the group. The venue will be closed on Mondays for group training, inductions, cook-offs and culture days.
People 1st partnership
As well as this new training academy, Giraffe has this week announced a new partnership with sector skills council, People 1st. The two organisations will work together on the training programmes being offered at G1 and for forthcoming openings in Tesco stores.
Following the opening of Giraffe at Watford’s Tesco Extra back in August, two further Giraffe restaurants will open by the end of the year in Tesco Extra stores - in Cheshunt and Abingdon.
Meanwhile, Giraffe at Heathrow Terminal 5 has just won the Best Airport Dining award at the third annual FAB Awards, organised by airport restaurant and bar operator, TRG Consessions.
“The iconic design of Giraffe T5 is outstanding and unlike any other restaurant in the world,” said TRG’s managing director Nick Ayerst. “This is recognition for the exceptional quality of food, drink and hospitality that is delivered to every guest 365 days a year and is testament to all of the hard work that our team put-in to delivering an unbeatable customer experience.”
