An annual Industry Week has given Cornish catering students plenty of food for thought, as they contemplate the different career paths available for them after completing their qualifications.
More than 10 professional catering and hospitality guests gave demos or workshop sessions at Cornwall College St Austell, from industry professionals such as St Austell Brewery wines, Carlyon Bay hotel, Cornish Coffee, Idle Rocks, Longstore and Lobb’s Butchers.
Enthusiastic students chose from a multitude of sessions over two days, in which they discovered more about the different career paths available to them after college; from working with coffee or wine to baking or butchery.
Team Lead, Steve Rudd said he could feel the rooms come “alive with enthusiasm of the demonstrators and students”.
“We added a cultural element this year with an authentic cooking demonstration from Punk Thai owner and expert fruit Carver Amy Nixon, who showed students how to make the famous Pad Thai dish,” he continued.
Amy said she loved working with the young chefs and was “so impressed we have offered them work on a Thai wedding function later on this year”.
Student Tom Payne said he’d felt particularly “inspired” and “uplifted” by the Punk Thai demo.
“It made me think of a change in direction to go for experience and maybe a job or apprenticeship there,” he added.
Five staff members from Idle Rocks Hotel inspired students with a talk on the career paths. Award winning Chef Tim Kendall included his story and they brought the director of Fish 4 thought who gave an insight into sustainability and business.
“The visiting chefs and guest speakers were really impressed with our own students and said how engaged, fun and what a pleasure they were to work with,” Steve continued.
“We’d like to thank them for their time in inspiring our students.”
For more information on the range of Catering & Hospitality courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.