Adam has always had a passion for cooking, his inspiration coming from his grandmother and grandfather who were always creating pastries and breads.

For 10 years he travelled around the UK working in various successful establishments alongside some of the country's best chefs - Marco Pierre White, Jean Christophe Novelli and Keith Floyd.

Adam returned to Devon in 2008 inspired by his belief that it is without doubt the best part of the country for good quality local ingredients. He appreciates the supply of free ranging animals, English cheeses and the freshest fish right on the doorstep. Adam’s menu has also been influenced by his time spent in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

He enjoys the added responsibility of being involved in a training restaurant that helps disadvantaged people get back into work and achieve NVQ qualifications and describes his role as one of his biggest challenges so far, and one of the most rewarding.

Nina’s passion has always been people, and she is absolutely committed to the service that she can provide for people and to ensuring that they have received the best. 

After running her own business for a couple of years, hospitality seemed the perfect option for her future career.  She made the transition through her role as Assistant Manager of the Oyster Shack in Bigbury, a highly acclaimed seafood restaurant. 

While she loved her time at the Oyster Shack, when the opportunity arose to work at the Dartmouth Apprentice she knew that the challenge would be exactly what she was looking for.  For Nina, the ability to be able to pass on her knowledge to others makes everything worthwhile and she thoroughly loves the building, the people and her customers. 

She sees the next 12 months or so as a wonderful opportunity to show all the Dartmouth Apprentice customers the excellent service, food and standards offered and along the way know that the members of the Apprentice team will also have benefited enormously.

Clementé Maiorano, Consultant Chef

Italian celebrity chef, Clementé Maiorano, devised the original menu for the restaurant opening and set up and oversaw the operation of the kitchen during its first season, before handing over to the permanent team in early 2009. Taking a special interest in training the Apprentices, he maintains close contact with Dartmouth Apprentice today.

Living in the Italian region of Abruzzo, Clementé trained in Milan and Rome before building his reputation from his restaurant ‘Ristorante Clementé’. An active member of the influential Slow Food movement, he has frequently appeared on Italian TV supporting his aims.

Clementé became involved in Dartmouth Apprentice through his eagerness to pass on his knowledge and experience to ‘his apprentices’ and his desire to entertain and delight the locals of Dartmouth and visitors with the truly authentic taste of Abruzzo.