The heat is on for a group of cookery students who are about to take part in a Jamie Oliver- inspired kitchen academy.

The year-long project has been launched to produce a generation of homegrown cooking talent for Brighton and Hove.

Seventeen youngsters have been given work placements in a hotel or restaurant to train under the watchful eye of some of the city's finest chefs.

They will commit themselves to spending one day a week in a pressure cooker environment.

The idea was sparked by television chef Jamie Oliver, who set up his own cooking academy and restaurant in London last year.

A long list of eating establishments has backed the project, which is part of the Brighton Food and Drink Lovers' Festival.

Among those taking part are The Grand Hotel, Coriander, Sevendials, QUOD, The Tin Drum, Loch Fyne, The Drake Hotel and English's of Brighton.

David Smale, owner of Coriander, said: "It's nice to be a part of what's going on in Brighton and I feel quite strongly about food standards in the city. If we can do something to help raise the standard then that is a good thing because beyond a certain level it is very bad."

Mr Smale will be mentoring Sarah Villegas, 19, who came to Brighton from Spain last year.

She said: "I have been working in various restaurants and bars, mainly as a waitress and then I joined this course. I think it will be a great experience."

City College Brighton and Hove, the Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) and the Hotel and Catering Training Company helped organise the venture.

CoVE manager Mike Eaton said: "We hope the academy experience is positive for everyone involved and becomes an integral part of the festival.

"We do not want students washing pots and pans. There is an understanding that they are there to learn something."

Food festival chairman Roger Marlowe said: "A food festival should not exist by itself.

"It should be something that pushes things through and works towards the improvement of food in Brighton."

Wednesday November 19, 2003