Training and Skillsharing

BIG TEAM - FESTIVAL PATHWAYS

We partnered with Big Team on their Festival Pathways initiative since 2025, a project aimed at diversifying the festival industry by providing paid work opportunities for individuals aged 18-30 from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the festival work force.

We provided a hands on placement with our Crew Catering team, allowing participants to gain invaluable experience working in fully equipped kitchens and dining areas set up in temporary tented structures.

“In summer 2025 I completed a Big Team festival pathway placement in collaboration with Team Canteen. As a catering assistant I had an opportunity to work at LSTD, Forwards and Waterworks festival gaining an insight into the festival catering industry. I had such a positive experience with the team and gained essential knowledge in sustainable food preparation and kitchen management for crew and artist catering services.

I felt welcomed and supported by the team, I am grateful for the opportunity and I have learnt a lot of transferable skills which will stay with me in future roles. Alongside the festival work I was able to witness and be a part of Team Canteens community outreach, assisting with organising BS3 recipe kits and volunteering at FODA festival. One of my highlights of the placement was completing a foraging & cooking lesson at the Pony Chew Valley Cooking School."

(Curtis, Team Canteen Placement)

TEAM CANTEEN Central Training Programme 2021 / Kickstart placements

We opened two Kickstart placements working 25 hours each at the Team Canteen Kitchen (at Breaking Bread). We appointed a mentor to support their progress in the hospitality industry and ensure that they felt integrated into the team.

During their time at Team Canteen the trainees worked under a range of established chefs to gain varied experience .  From KP duties to organising the kitchens, right through to creating dishes for service that day. After they had completed the placements, both trainees moved into permanent roles in kitchens