THE search is on for budding chefs who have what it takes to showcase their culinary skills across the globe.

A pair of cruise brands are on the hunt for eight apprentices who will work and train on some of the biggest and most prestigious cruise ships in the world.

It comes as Carnival Corporation, which runs P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises, launches a new maritime galley apprenticeship course for 17 to 23-year-olds.

The programme was launched with an apprenticeship drive at City College Southampton's Aspire restaurant who have teamed up with the firm for the programme.

Dozens of young chefs attended the event where they heard about the expectations, opportunities and challenges the apprenticeship programme could bring and got the chance to meet bosses from P&O Cruises and Cunard who were on the lookout for the next Jamie Oliver or Mary Berry.

Christopher Lodge, hotel fleet training director for Cunard and P&O Cruises, said: “Both brands pride themselves on delivering an exemplary dining experience for guests and, as such, the quality of our chefs and galley staff is something we take as seriously as the standards of the ingredients we use.

"We are excited to be partnering with City College to promote this fantastic opportunity for young eight young people to not only learn about the culinary role they will be doing but also the cruise industry and our iconic brands.”

Sarah Stannard, principal of City College Southampton, said: “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with Cunard and P&O Cruises to engage, nurture and develop our next generation of workers.

“City College is career-led focused, providing young people with the skills and training they need to succeed in the workplace."

The cruise firms are still on the hunt for apprentices.

For more information call Ben Lee at City College Southampton on 023 8057 7354, email apprenticeships@southampton-city.ac.uk or visit southampton-city.ac.uk.