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Meet Our Catering & Hospitality Students

Sam

Level 1 Catering

"Every part of the course is based around what we’ll be doing in the industry, from the things we learn and the way we’re taught to the standards they expect of us when we’re in the kitchen. For example, it’s important to always be on time and in the correct uniform, because when you’re working professionally then your team depends on you. We learn about hygiene and health and safety right at the start, and then you’re expected to take responsibility for keeping your workstation clean and tidy and avoiding cross-contamination. The tutors do have high standards of us, but they’re great teachers and they’re always there helping, supporting and motivating us.

In Level 1 you learn different methods of cookery, like roasting and grilling, and stewing and braising, and then once you’ve learnt those skills you move on to looking at the ingredients in more detail in Level 2. One of the dishes I’ve enjoyed making most so far is a chicken and mushroom risotto. We’re going to be making choux pastry soon, and I’m really looking forward to that because I want to specialise in patisserie in the future.

The facilities are modelled on a professional kitchen, so it’s a great way to learn. We do practical lessons and theory, and we do different types of assessment. The course is very precise and technical, and the synoptic assessments can be really tough, but you just have to work hard and ask for help if you need it. We also do work experience at part of the course, and this helps us to put the skills we’ve learnt practice. For me, doing work experience has really helped me to improve my confidence. I’ve learnt so much on my course, and I’m really grateful to the tutors."


Ismail


Level 1 Catering

The tutors always talk about what it’s like to work in catering, like telling you the right etiquette in a kitchen, and how to present food so that it looks really special. I’m in college four days a week, and at the weekends I work at a restaurant in Westminster. It’s a great experience and I'm learning a lot.

Photograph of a Nescot student

The tutors always talk about what it’s like to work in catering, like telling you the right etiquette in a kitchen, and how to present food so that it looks really special. I’m in college four days a week, and at the weekends I work at a restaurant in Westminster. It’s a great experience and I’m learning a lot.