Improving Your Career Opportunities

Patrick Williams who trained as a chef at Waltham Forest College.

The economic downturn will affect many of us but it is a fact that those with a good skills base are more likely to improve their career opportunities. As a result, greater numbers of people are acquiring new skills through retraining.

It was watching ‘The Galloping Gourmet’ programme on TV that inspired Patrick Williams to train as a chef, at Waltham Forest College.

Patrick worked his way up in the kitchens of some of the most prestigious (and demanding) names in British cooking. Today he is a celebrity Chef appearing on TV programmes and owner of The Terrace In The Fields, a gourmet restaurant in a unique setting in the centre of London’s Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Robin Jones, Principal and Chief Executive at Waltham Forest College says: “People have difficulties juggling home, family and even working life. In order to help them overcome these conflicting barriers to learning, the College has developed a range of highly effective flexible programmes. Many of our part-time courses have variable start dates and times in order to meet adult learning needs at all levels”.

The College will be holding an Open Evening on Tuesday 19 May, 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Visitors will be able to meet advisors and lecturers, discuss training options and find out how to finance their studies. To obtain information about the Open Day or courses available at Waltham Forest College call 020 8501 8501, email info@waltham.ac.uk , visit http://www.waltham.ac.uk/ or drop into Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 4JB.

Gastronomic Tour

A number of the staff managed to slip away from the college with a collection of NVQ Level 2 students.

They ended up on a foodie version of a pub crawl, in London's West End.

First stop was Le Gavroche restaurant at 44 Upper Brook Street.

Here they met Michael Roux the Head Chef / Owner and were given a talk regarding the Industry and a tour of the kitchens.

Next stop was the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2.

They kindly gave the students a tour of the hotel showing Banqueting Halls and kitchens.

It is the third largest banqueting hotel in London.

Their final stop was Galvins at 66 Baker Street, London.

Here they met the owner / Head Chef Jeff Galvin who proved it was the most up and coming restaurant in London.


It was an enjoyable day with students able to see various form of catering outlets from large to small.

In the Army now...

Here you can see the NVQ 1 Catering Students showing off the Army officers they 'captured' - well, on film at least!

It was during a day visit to Aldershot, when they enjoyed a tour around the kitchens.

The day included the opportunity to produce lunch under canvas - in the rain - a very welcome warm up for a cold day.