MASTERCHEF Mat Follas will be one of the mentors for 16 students hoping to follow in his footsteps to the top of the culinary tree.

The 16 students were chosen from a group of 24 hopefuls in a Masterchef-style trial involving knife skills, ingredient identification, taste tests and Dragon’s Den type interviews.

The 16 successful would-be chefs will be enrolling for a two-year course at Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College in September.

Although Mr Follas is happy to get involved with the Exeter college he thinks it is something both Weymouth and Yeovil Colleges ought to take up.

He said: “I was invited to be involved which was very flattering. To be blunt, and I have experienced this, what comes out of a lot of the catering colleges is just that – catering students. What is not coming out is restaurant standard people.

“What Michael has set up is an academy where they will select a small number of students with the intent of them becoming the stars of the future.

“Colleges are trying to do apprenticeships that cater for everybody. It is a great project – the students will get placements from two-star Michelin restaurants to what we are doing which is a bit different – quality local food – and even some of the better pubs around are on the list.

“Given the distance the main role for me will be having the students come here and do work experience for a period of time, both front-of-house and kitchen.

“More locally we have Yeovil and Weymouth colleges and it would be really exciting if they did something similar.”

Last week the high-profile hospitality entrepreneurs and business people met at the ABode Hotel in Exeter to sign up for involvement in the new academy.

Other chef mentors included Michelin-starred chefs Simon Hulstone of The Elephant and Mark Dodson of the Mason’s Arms, Nathan Outlaw and the Tanner Brothers have also pledged their support.

These leading lights will mean the students will learn from the best in the business, said Mr Caines.