College hosted charity dinner for Breast Care Appeal is great success
A Five Star Dinner held at the College has raised an incredible £2,360 for Frimley Park Hospitals Breast Care Appeal.
The event was a joint effort between the College, Four Seasons Hampshire and Frimley Park Hospital Charity and entertained 60 guests at our training restaurant, The Gallery.
Catering staff from Four Seasons, led by Executive Chef James Dugan, were assisted by the Colleges Level 1 and 2 Food and Beverage students in the preparation and banquet style serving of dishes. After impressing staff and students with his culinary finesse in the kitchen, Mr Dugan also found the time to visit guests at each table to talk about the teams food.
Among the culinary treats were oysters Kilpatrick, served with laverbread, and sea vegetables and beef tartare with egg yolk purée.
Our students career ambitions were encouraged as a former student, now employed by Four Seasons, worked with students in the pastry kitchen, while others gained valuable experience serving guests in the restaurant and preparing food in the main kitchen. Opportunities like this, along with work placements, provide students with work ready skills and experience that enhance their employability upon completing their studies.
Corey Gunner, a Level 2 Food and Beverage student, said:
I was cocktail waiting, announcing courses and helping to keep our guests happy.
It was a great experience which gave me a lot of confidence for when I start my next course, and I hope to work towards becoming a restaurant manager when I finish.
Gwen Grace, Programme Manager of Catering, said:
It was tremendous to work with Four Seasons again. Our students worked incredibly hard to make sure the guests were looked after and the hotel team got all the help they needed. This is an experience the students can add to their CVs with a great deal of pride.
Volunteer fundraiser, Jose Harrap, said:
The students had a wonderful opportunity to work with a magnificent Executive Chef to prepare and present a delicious gala banquet style dinner for a full room – an inspirational experience that they said will remain with them throughout the rest of their training and into their careers.
We had anticipated raising £1,800 from this event and had hoped for £2,000, but in the event – and with the help of donated items for a silent auction – we achieved £2,360, which will be matched by the Frimley Health Trust.
This is a magnificent result and its very satisfying to think that everybody who was so generous also enjoyed a lovely evening.
To find out more about the Food, Beverage & Cookery Courses that the College offers click here.
