Scarborough chef turned educator plans skydive to support hospitality mental health charity

Luke Daniels, who lives in Scarborough, will do a charity skydive at Grindale Airfield, near Bridlington, on August 23.

The Burnt Chef Project is a worldwide charity offering online and phone support for those that are struggling, training courses for business and individuals, a free training academy for students as well as a range of free resources that anyone can access.

Luke said: “The Burnt Chef Project is a charity that I am an ambassador for and have been for around three years now and it is one of the very few hospitality specific charities.

“I joined the group because during my 23 years in hospitality, I have seen first hand the effects that the industry can have on people, with high stress environments and long hours.

“Burnout, drug and alcohol abuse, lack of sleep all being the norm and being worn like a badge of honour because people are too proud to admit when they are struggling.

“I myself have struggled many times with my mental health, self worth, trying to find time to eat properly and actually look after myself and from feeling crushed by the pressure that comes with the roles.

“The Burnt Chef Project helped me a lot and gave me a community that is always looking out for each other and willing to help when you need it.

“I no longer work directly in the hospitality industry after working my way up to head chef, and then onto food and beverage manager.

“As an apprenticeship assessor, I now support apprentices within the industry and try to embed mental health into each course that I cover.

“I'm doing the skydive to help raise funds and spread awareness of this impact and to make people aware that there is help out there if you need it, and that these issues aren't something to just be accepted.

“It will also help fund all the resources that the Charity has to offer, from their online and over the phone support services, the free seminars online, the talks and activities they do in the workplace and colleges.

“They even have a free academy for hospitality students that covers subjects like financial stress, sleep, nutrition and gambling, which is a platform I am currently trialling at work with my students.

“Something like that would have been invaluable to me, especially at the beginning of my career.

“I am massively looking forward to doing the jump, but am also terrified as this will be the first time I've ever been in a plane!

“It's something that's always been on my list of things to do, so why not do it now and do it for a good cause.”

Visit https://www.goodhub.com/go/ld-skydive to donate and visit https://www.theburntchefproject.com for more about the Burnt Chef Project.