Four students from Brockenhurst College are celebrating after being selected for the final of WorldSkills UK’s Skills Show, the UK’s largest talent and careers event, to be held at the Birmingham NEC on 14th -16th November.
The Skills Show aims to inspire and transform young people’s lives through a series of interactive events and competitions held across the UK, changing the way we think about skills, training and apprenticeships. Lucy Jones and Laura Wills will be competing in the Professional Restaurant Service category, which focuses on the role and skills required in the professional restaurant service environment. This involves the service of a range of food and drink offered in contemporary and traditional environments over three days, including cocktails, coffees, crêpes suzettes, decanting wine, carving salmon and chateaubriand, afternoon tea and lunch service.
Ash Read and Ryan Easterbrook will be contenders in the Culinary Arts section of the competition, which concentrates on the role and skills of a professional chef. This involves the preparation and cooking of a range of foods and dishes which reflect both modern and traditional cuisine, including veal, fish, quail and dessert.
Lucy and Laura were chosen to compete after their successful performances in the Wessex Salon Culinaire, a live cookery competition held at Brockenhurst College in April, and Ash and Ryan were selected after being an integral part of the catering team at the College’s Brock 100 Fundraising Dinner in September.
John MacArthur, Head of Hospitality at the College, commented: “We are thrilled that Lucy, Laura, Ash and Ryan have been recognised by a prestigious organisation such as WorldSkills. Their impressive performances at the Wessex Salon Culinaire and Brock 100 events will no doubt stand them in good stead for such a high-profile competition. We wish them every luck at the Skills Show.”
Brockenhurst College’s industry-standard catering facilities and high-quality teaching consistently produces highly-trained and professional students equipped with the skills, techniques and personal attributes needed to excel in a range of roles across the hospitality industry. Our on-site fine-dining restaurant, MJ’s, provides an environment in which students train in the preparation and service of food and drink, as well as developing customer care and a variety of related business skills. Students also embark upon work placements with local establishments such as the renowned Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, allowing them to gain invaluable on-the-job experience. Brockenhurst College is also the home of the New Forest Cookery School; offering expert culinary tuition for all ages - using local produce - in a professional, friendly environment. Small and personal, group classes ensure students get the most from each course, developing skills and creating fabulous food.