Aaron Craze is the successful apprentice who runs ‘The Cock’, in Beazley End, as a business. The Fifteen Foundation board was extremely impressed by the quality of business plans presented by the Fifteen graduates. Running ‘The Cock’, is Aaron’s greatest challenge but one that the Fifteen Foundation is confident that he will approach with professionalism and flair.  He aims to make it a successful and welcoming gastro-pub that the people of Beazley End and Essex can be proud of.

Aaron lives at ‘The Cock’ with his partner Nikki and their two children. It is our hope that Aaron is the first of many successful young businessmen and women graduates who will be helped by the Fifteen Foundation in this way.

A big thanks to Derek Browne, from 'Entrepreneurs in Action', who provided invaluable business mentoring to the four apprentices. If you'd like further information on Derek's mentoring work, click here to visit his website.

About Aaron

28 year old Aaron joined Fifteen as one of the second group of trainees in 2003 (the year after the ones who were featured in the TV series ‘Jamie’s Kitchen’).  At the time he joined Fifteen, Aaron had left school with no formal qualifications as he had dyslexia which was not dealt with.  He flitted from job to job before settling down with his partner Nicola and having a child.  He then decided it was time to get a proper job and, after seeing ‘Jamie’s Kitchen’, he applied for the course.  Aaron had always enjoyed cooking but the Fifteen course really developed a passion for food which he shares with Jamie.  Aaron graduated with merit in 2004 and has since worked at The Ivy and also in the kitchen at Fifteen working his way up from trainee to chef de partie.