If your written application looks strong, we invite you to a short Hireflix video interview as the next step. It is a one-way recorded video (not a live call) and takes about 15 minutes to complete.

The interview is less a gate than a calibration tool. Your answers help us understand your goals, your background, and how you talk about cooking in your own words. We use what you tell us to optimise the cohort composition for the week you are applying to: who you would be alongside in the kitchen, and where the instructor should focus emphasis. The clearer you are about what you want from the course, the better we can shape the week around you.

The questions cover your motivation, your kitchen background, what you cook well, what you want to leave the week with, and how you think through a practical kitchen situation. Answers do not need to be polished. We are listening for clarity, judgement, and how you think out loud, not for memorised lines.

The invitation email includes a deadline (typically around 5 days from receipt). If we do not receive your video by the deadline, your application is automatically withdrawn. Academy spaces fill in the order applications are processed, and the interview is the next gate.

You can re-apply for a future Culinary Academy week. Each application includes a fresh interview; we cannot reuse a video from an old application.

If you have a genuine reason for needing more time (illness, travel disruption, etc.), email info@quarterdeck.co before the deadline rather than after, and we will do our best to accommodate.