Cornwall College Catering Team is One of the Best in the UK

The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) has been acknowledged as one of the best catering colleges in the country, after being recognised as a Centre of Excellence in three disciplines. Assessors from People 1^st visited Camborne, St Austell and Saltash, over a period of two days, to monitor the quality of the teaching, the College’s links with industry and the attitude and knowledge of the students.

The awards in Food and Beverage Service, Patisserie and Confectionary, and Fish and Shellfish recognise the College’s commitment to ensuring learners gain the skills they need to enter the industry.

Curriculum Lead for Hospitality with TCCG, Stuart Mathieson, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our teams have been recognised and it is a tremendous honour to become a Centre of Excellence in three main areas of our work that relate so closely to those required by the hospitality industry in the county. The feedback is stunning and a credit to the whole team.

“Staff and students achieved this award and it is a credit to everyone who works for us. According to People 1st there are only sixteen accredited colleges in the UK and there is only one other college identified with three Centres of Excellence, so this is a tremendous achievement for all concerned.”

The Centres of Excellence are recognised for the high standard of training delivery in this specialist area and their commitment to ensuring learners gain the skills they need to enter the industry. The assessment report praised the work experience opportunities, links with industry and the ongoing professional development of the chef lecturers and the front of house teams.

The report identified that: “Employers are actively involved in curriculum planning and have great working relationships with the staff. The college produces well qualified, industry-ready learners who know the industry expectation levels and far exceed the calibre produced by other colleges.”

Accreditation Manager at People 1st, Andy Doyle, said: “The College has state-of-the-art facilities at the Camborne campus with stunning new kitchens, up-to-date equipment and a fantastic training restaurant. It is clear that the college has created very strong links with local employers at all levels, ensuring that the training the college delivers meets the needs of industry and that the learners have the best training and understanding of the industry to succeed with careers in the hospitality industry.”

The awards will be officially presented to the staff and students at their annual celebration event, held at the end of June.

Andy continued: “Cornwall College will be one of only two colleges in England that currently hold three Centre of Excellence statuses – showing that hospitality is an important part of their delivery and that the college is providing the best opportunities possible for their learners to develop and progress in a diverse industry.”

TCCG’s Director for Cultural and Visitor Economy, Miriam Venner, said: “To become a Centre of Excellence in one aspect of professional catering is a tremendous achievement, to do it in three is a clear demonstration of the dedication of our staff and students to making learning work.”

For more information on the range of catering courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0845 22 32 567.