A YOUNG kitchen porter has brought home the bacon and scooped an award for Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.

Peter Camp brought home the only award of the evening to the Forest at The Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

The 17-year-old joined the Speech House Hotel from school as a kitchen porter but his enthusiasm and 'unquenchable zest' for knowledge of food and cooking led owners, Peter and Gill Hands, together with head chef Brent Price, to offer him an apprenticeship with Gloucestershire College on day release.

Peter Hands said: "Throughout his apprenticeship, Peter has worked hard and become an integral part of the 'Kitchen Brigade'. He has won the respect of the whole team and we are delighted that Peter has accepted a permanent position with the hotel team even before he completes his apprenticeship. We will all support him in his ambition to become a top chef."

The Speech House Hotel also employs three other apprentices.