Perfectly crisp white chef jackets, cheeks cherry red, hat’s sat neatly on their heads. It’s a look that would grace the kitchen of any 5 star restaurant, combined with the warm, cheerful, greeting that is more ‘front of house’ than you might expect a group of level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma students at Darlington college.
But this is Darlington College all over. The students have the world at their fingertips and it shows through their determination to win the title of ‘smiliest’ endorsed college through the National Skills Academy Hospitality. This is Darlington’s second year running with the title and this year the students were lucky enough to experience amaster class from TV Chef Cyrus Todiwala (MBE).
Lee Humble is an inspired young student in his first year of college currently studying his level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma at Darlington College, endorsed for excellence by the National Skills Academy Hospitality. Lee is full of ambition and initiative as he managed to anticipate the cooking equipment needed to help Cyrus’s master class. He was on hand at all times to help with the preparing and cooking of Cyrus’s famous Indian cuisine.
From the early age of 12 Lee was cooking at home, including the Christmas day dinner for as many as 15. Lee has always had a passion for food and this was obvious due to his enthusiasm and attentionhe paid when listening and taking notes from Cyrus’s astounding knowledge of food.
Lee said; “When I finished school I got 13 GCSE’s, one which was food technology, where I focused on multi-cultural food. I thoughtthat Indian Cuisine was dishes like Tikka Masala, Korma and Jalfrezi.However after meeting Cyrus and experiencing this Master Class I have realised that Indian cuisineisn’t traditionally focused on saucy curries, but a blend of condiments and spices to create perfectly flavoured dishes.”
Lee is one of many from Darlington College who has ambition and drive to succeed in the hospitality industry.
Lee informed us of his future plans; “I love cooking and although my family keep telling me I’ve chosen the wrong career this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I love creating dishes and I want to become the best that I can and develop my own style and eventually move to Australia and become the head chef of an amazing restaurant.”
David McHattie, CEO, The National Skills Academy Hospitality says, “We were lucky enough to visit the college on the 8th September and experiencean excellentfour coursedinner as part of the Young Chef Young Waiter regional competition. It wasimpressive, the flavours and combinations were fantastic, whilst the front of house staff delivered a smooth and efficient service. These young chefs are the future pipeline of talent and are an asset tothe hospitality industry.”
The National Skills Academy Hospitality is proud to endorse Darlington College’s Professional Cookery Diploma as an excellent course and was delighted to gain Board Member Cyrus Todiwala (MBE) to help their student’s journeyto becoming professional chefs.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Thursday, 2 September 2010
250,000 Students Rejected from University?
After only having graduated a few years previously I really feel for the 250,000 students who will be refused a place at University this year due to the lack of places. These A-Level and AS qualified students will also be joining the 5 million others that will also be seeking employment, However does this small army have the upper hand.
If we look at the students that were selected for University are they any better off? With the current rising of University fees and what used to be the post University “graduate job” swiftly decreasing, it would seem that even the people who were lucky enough to attend University are still not getting the best deal.
If I am totally honest with the cost to attend University rising, I would be very reluctant to go. I was one of the lucky few who paid what seems now a measly amount of £1,125 a year in fees. I do understand why students fork out the fees for University if they are guaranteed a job after all their hard work but what few professions offer that? Doctors, dentists, accountants or teachers maybe!
For those students who want to become accountants but aren’t fortunate enough to get into University, surely there is another way? Night courses at college, internships, or apprenticeships? At least this way the student is somewhat guaranteed a job in the end. Maybe University is over rated now, with the demand for hands on, quick thinking, experienced individuals, I find myself thinking that whether you go to University or not you still have to start at the bottom. After graduating I found myself waiting 2 years till I found the job of my dreams, many graduates aren’t even this fortunate, I have friends who still aren’t in the most desired job. Therefore was it really worth all the debt.
I have also noticed that people are quick to scrutinise certain professions which I have experienced first-hand. After working in a restaurant as a waitress I was continuously asked by my customers “Surely this isn’t all you do?” but little did they know I was on about £25,000 a year, and I only worked 30 hours a week. I also had the opportunity to progress into management. That is a career path in itself, but why is it overlooked? In this current climate, University isn’t the solution to everything and we need to find ways to progress in life and succeed in something we feel truly passionate about. My only advice would be to really think about what you want in life and work out the best way for you to get there. There are courses in college for almost everything and many employers offer some great development opportunities if you are willing to work hard and be hands on. Students shouldn’t feel like they are hitting their heads against a brick wall because there is far more opportunity out there than people realise, it is just finding it.
The Hospitality industry can be a great experience, and career choice rather than a stopgap. Employers should view these students as a potential long-term prospect and put effort into attracting and then engaging, developing and retaining them. I personally loved working in a restaurant; 10 hour shifts fly by when you’re having fun. I also made some amazing friends that I will have for life, some great tips (£80 Tables of four), had lots of fun with hilarious customers, even the social life after work was excellent. All in all great times for me, wouldn’t change it for the world.
The experience and skills I learnt has helped me in my current role at the Academy. I have patience, time management, confidence, pace, ability to talk to anyone and excellent customer service skills. All of these have benefited me immensely. Not only this, but I honestly had the best experience working in a restaurant. Many believe it to be anti-social hours but really it is a time to socialise and enjoy the diversity of each day with the new customer you are faced with. Others believe it to be a simple role, but waiters are truly underestimated for the amount of stamina and patience it takes to provide constant excellent customer service whilst meeting every customer’s expectations.
So I guess the big question is “If I want a career in hospitality, where do I start?” Well with the hospitality industry still facing its perennial skills shortages and the 2012 Olympics on the horizon there are currently hundreds of jobs available. Click HERE to chat with other students in the same position and ask us at the Academy for advice to work out the best path for you. Alternatively try these sites:
www.uksp.co.uk
http://www.caterer.com/SearchBySpecialism.aspx
If I could go back and start again I wouldn’t have gone to University for the soul reason that I was hired for my personality, skills in customer service, time management and ability to work well under pressure, all of which I obtained in a restaurant, and not at University. You make your life what it is and University definitely isn’t a guaranteed gold ticket that gets you into the job of your dreams any more.
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