From kitchen porter to chef: Sebastian’s fresh start

14/08/2025

Have you met Sebastian? He arrived in the UK with big hopes and a love for hospitality – and now he’s cooking up success as a chef at Almari Café, thanks to his determination, training, and support from The Hive and Well Grounded.

A new beginning in a new country

Sebastian Navarro moved to the UK with his partner, who was starting a two-year master’s degree. It was an exciting new chapter, but also a bit nerve-wracking. He didn’t know many people yet, his English was still developing, and he hadn’t worked in the UK before. Back home, Sebastian had plenty of hospitality experience, but without local qualifications or references, finding a job here wasn’t easy. On top of that, he was getting used to a new culture and a different way of working. What he did have, though, was a real love for hospitality – and the determination to make a fresh start.

Finding support at The Hive

That’s when Sebastian found The Hive, our friendly Employment and Training Hub that helps local people build skills and confidence. Through The Hive, he learned about our partnership with Well Grounded, who run a barista training course with recognised UK qualifications. The course gave him practical coffee-making skills, industry-recognised certificates, and a clearer understanding of how hospitality works in the UK. Most importantly, it connected him with a network of people who believed in his potential.

The Hive

A chance that led to something more

After completing the course, The Hive and Well Grounded arranged for Sebastian to have a trial shift as a barista at Almari Café in the Aberfeldy estate. Although the barista role wasn’t quite the right fit, through his conversations with the team Sebastian heard about a vacancy in the kitchen. With his past kitchen experience and a can-do attitude, he was offered the role of kitchen porter.

Climbing the kitchen ladder

Sebastian rolled up his sleeves and got stuck into his new job. It didn’t take long for his hard work and positive attitude to shine through, and he soon earned a promotion to chef. It’s a job he’s genuinely proud of, not just for the steady income, but for the sense of belonging it’s given him. He says it wouldn’t have happened without the training, trial shift, and introductions from The Hive and Well Grounded. And he’s still growing and learning in the hospitality world.

Gratitude and growth

This journey has given Sebastian a big boost in confidence and helped him get his career back on track here in the UK. Along the way, he’s picked up valuable training, hands-on experience, and a job he loves.

As Sebastian puts it:

“I am incredibly grateful to The Hive and the Well Grounded team for their guidance, support, and the opportunity that helped me establish a new beginning.”

Sebastian

Today, he’s not just building a career… he’s building a new chapter of his life in the UK, one plate at a time.

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