Gordon Ramsay backs young chef with dwarfism
Eighteen-year-old Louis Makepeace was turned away from a chef school because he was "too short", but award-winning culinary star Gordon Ramsay thinks otherwise.
Louis Makepeace wants nothing more than to become a professional chef. His long-time fascination with the work of Gino D'Acampo led him to apply for a place in the Hospitality and Catering course at Heart of Worcestershire College.
He had been offered provisional acceptance but the college changed their minds, saying Louis was a "health risk" for the professional kitchen. Louis has dwarfism and, standing at just over 91cm, getting around the kitchen would require a stool.
This got my goat. There are pro chefs with disabilities. Not hard to make adaptations! Heart of Worcestershire College use your brains 🙉 Good luck Louis Makepeace https://t.co/AMndE0qhoL
— Henrietta Freeman (@hen10freeman) August 28, 2018
Louis was devastated and believed the college was being unreasonable by not at least offering to adjust the environment so he could study comfortably: "We are supposed to have equality of opportunity yet I’m not allowed to do something I love doing. They are simply not prepared to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate me such as making the surfaces and hobs lower."
Louis was told that he would disrupt the other students' learning and "get in their way". The school told Louis' mom Pauline that her son should consider applying for a different course. The Heart of Worcestershire College has been berated online for its discriminatory policies.
Shame on Worcester college for discrimination of Differently able people.
— uday naganath (@UdayNaganath) August 28, 2018
@HOW_College The way ur college and the lecturer treated Louis Makepeace really make me sick to my stomach. If I have a children with or without disability or short-limbed dwarfism i will never put them in ur college or even recommend ur college.
— Love Australia (@michaelhong2011) August 27, 2018
@immac64
— Helen Baker (@misty_2u) August 28, 2018
Sheeesh ... discrimination lives on. All the best to him - hope he kicks back and proves them wrong.
When Louis's story made headlines, some people were supportive, while others branded him unrealistic and demanding.
Dwarf gets the short straw, Louis Makepeace expected the college to make alterations to accomodate his "needs" even though theres no prospect of a job in the future as a chef https://t.co/wlrjIGzFLe
— jose (@Straawberry5) August 27, 2018
But he did receive support from one very prominent person: Chef Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay berated Heart of Worcestershire College and said that he would be open to offering Louis an apprenticeship "any day".
Disgusting attitude, I’d offer him an Apprenticeship any day. https://t.co/xYdfWJ7CLK
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) August 28, 2018
Louis was overwhelmed by the response: "It would be absolutely incredible if he is serious about it. I can't believe he has seen it and is supporting me as I am a huge fan of his."
The Heart of Worcestershire College has not made any further comments on the issue.