THE doors will be closing at Gorton's Restaurant in Tavistock next month, as its owner, Masterchef Peter Gorton, takes up a new and exciting challenge. From the beginning of August, Peter will be fronting a new academy in Plymouth, specialising in hospitality. Taking in 19 to 24 year olds from all over Devon and Cornwall, the students will spend six weeks in the classroom, six weeks in the kitchen and six weeks on work placements, learning all aspects of the trade, graduating with NVQ1, BTEC and functional skills qualifications. Peter said: 'I've loved being in Tavi over the last three years — my customers have been outstanding — it's been great. 'But for the last few months, it's been really hard, trying to be here as well as doing everything else. There's no point putting your name above the door if you're not going to be here — I think I've only missed five services while I've been here, but this opportunity has come up and I would be mad not to do it. 'I've been a chef for 34 years, but for a long time now I've wanted to teach, it's been a dream of mine, and I am really ready to do something new. 'Being a chef teaches you a lot of skills. Even if the youngsters leaving us don't become chefs or stay in hospitality, they will have learned about discipline, hard work and team work.' The JTJ Hospitality Academy will be based in the 5/11 building opposite Plymouth Pavillions. The academy will include classrooms, a working kitchen and a brasserie-style café, which will be open every day between 8am and 6pm, depending on demand. Sound-proofed from the kitchen and classrooms, customers will be able to see what the students are doing. The team from Gorton's will all be working at the academy, with Peter's sous chef Matt running the café. There will be a new intake of 20 students every three months. Peter will continue with his other work commitments — and with a huge range of contacts built up over the years, he is hoping the work placements available to the students will be second to none. 'I've been asked to compere a lot of big food shows recently, in London, Exeter, all over the place, which is fantastic. I am still doing cookery courses, so students will be able to get a taste of all these sorts of things,' said Peter. 'For the first six months at the academy I will be there every day, after that, at least three or four times a week. I know it's going to be hard work, I know we will have some failures, but if 70 to 80 percent gain employment as a result of what we've done, we will have done a good job.' Gorton's will close on June 14 — Peter said he would like to thank his customers and suppliers for their support during the last three years.