Cookery students get a taste of the kitchen

The college has linked-up with Ricci’s Tapas and Cicchetti, The Fleece in Barkisland and the 3 Tier Cake Shop to offer students on the Professional Cookery course some hands-on experience.

Acting Principal Nicki Clarke explains more: “All of our courses have a work placement element.

“The college is unique in that learning takes place in a fully working environment and we then extend this learning in a real life environment.

“So Professional Cookery students are at work in the full scale kitchens, and Beauty students become qualified in our salon whilst at the same time having the opportunity to take these skills to the next level in a local business.

“This approach is critical in not only ensuring they gain their qualification, but also can apply the theory to a working environment.”

“Of course, the placements are vital to passing a qualification. However, they allow students to put their skills to use in a working environment and gain experience. In Ricci’s Tapas for example, students can not only explore some of the latest trends in their chosen career but also learn about the pressures of the working environment and how they need to manage during peak times and meet customer requests.”

Students are placed with employers based on their career plans and have to gain experience in college before they are able to progress to a placement. All placements are fully supported by the lecturer of the relevant subject.

Sarah Sykes from The Ricci Group said: “Our head chef treats the young people as members of his team, providing guidance and support but also giving them a taste of what they can expect as a paid member of staff. Of course, not every placement is perfect – we are working with young people after all who are learning. They allow us to give something back as a business, but we are also playing our part in shaping the next generation of employees.”