WALTHAM FOREST COLLEGE STUDENTS IMPRESS TOP CATERING PROFESSIONALS

Hotelympia 2010 was a source of inspiration for students at Waltham Forest College. This prestigious catering event held on 28 February to 4 March, takes place once every two years, and is attended by some of the most famous celebrity chefs, Head Chef at Bohemia Bar & Restaurant, Michael Godfrey, Executive Head Chef at Bekynton, Eton College and Tim Payne, Head Chef at The Paradise By Way of Kensal Green, Proprietor and Executive Chef of the Café Spice Namasté, Cyrus Todiwala, and major international suppliers for the industry.

The College’s hospitality and catering students worked alongside the House of Commons Culinary Team, at the Dudson Restaurant, as part of a competition hosted by Hotelympia, called the La Parade des Chefs, which provided a fine dining experience for those who attended the event. During this five-day exhibition these students were given the opportunity to demonstrate their hospitality skills, and impress some of the top names in the industry, by staffing the Dudson restaurant filled with a hundred diners, from Lexington Catering Ltd.

Waltham Forest College were very proud to be one of only two colleges in the country to help host these restaurant events, along with Westminster Kingsway.

Peter Stone, Catering and Operations Manager commented, “The College’s hospitality and catering students this year gained three Gold and one Silver medal, which is a fantastic achievement. The School of Service Industries gained fantastic feedback on our students’ service this year. There were many great comments by organisers and diners such as: “These students are a real credit to you,” “The best students we have had at Hotelympia.”, “They are so friendly and helpful.”

The students had a great experience and one which they will remember for many years to come. This will be something they will proudly include on their CVs. Learners will now all be issued with a certificate, which will be presented at the annual awards for Service Industries evening in May/ June 2010.

MaryJo Hoyne Head of School for Service Industries, said, 'WFC was delighted to support one of the hospitality industries largest exhibition events, the catering and hospitality students delivered an excellent service for the event.'

Sebnemmarasali, hospitality and catering Student Level 1 said, “It was a really good opportunity to practice my customer service skills in a top class restaurant setting.”

28/02/10