This year, 25 catering students went on work experience for two weeks, one week during their holiday time and the other week during the college time in order to ensure they did not fall behind with their assessments.
All the second year students successfully completed their work experience in many top class London establishments. Some students had the opportunity to carry out their work experience in high class establishments like The Savoy, The Ritz, The Lanesborough, The House of Commons, The Landmark Hotel to name but a few and some chose to carry out their work experience locally in the Essex area.
The employers who provided work placements were impressed by how knowledgeable and how skillful the students were and on completion of their programme the majority of students were offered full-time and part-time employment.
Some students were offered a full-time job at the end of this academic year but they have declined the offer and have decided to come back to the college to further their culinary skills at Level 3, to cook and serve the public on Gourmet Dinners and Thursday “Fine Dining Evenings” whilst other students will be starting employment as Chefs and some in the restaurants.
Tony Pecoraro, a Hospitality & Catering Lecturer had this to say
“Work placements are a vital part of our course and above all, are a fantastic opportunity for our students to be mentored by top class Chef in high class establishments. I am very pleased with all our catering students this year who achieved above and beyond what was expected”