Inside the Schloss: The Chefs’ Forum Academy Students Go Behind the Scenes at Albert’s Schloss Birmingham

This week, a group of our Chefs’ Forum Academy students from South & City College Birmingham stepped away from the classroom and into the heart of Birmingham’s vibrant hospitality scene for an immersive industry day at Albert’s Schloss.

The day gave the students a glimpse of what their careers could look like after finishing their course, offering a 360 degree look at how one of the city’s most successful venues operates.

The morning kicked off with a burst of creativity. After an introduction to the Schloss brand, students were challenged to get behind the bar for a mocktail masterclass. Not only did they learn the recipes, but they were also tasked with creating their own signature alcohol-free mocktails, testing their understanding of flavour profiles and presentation.

The deep dive continued with an exclusive tour of the storerooms led by James Plant, Head of Openings & Innovation. James gave the group a fascinating look at how they make schnapps, explaining the intricate process of how the venue develops and produces its signature flavours.

A hospitality experience wouldn’t be complete without the food. After a communal lunch, the session transitioned into an informal industry careers chat. This was a rare opportunity for students to sit down with the people who keep the engine running, including:

The Q&A session allowed students to ask candid questions about career progression, the daily challenges of management, and the skills needed to succeed in a high-volume venue. By hearing from both senior leadership and those just starting their management journeys, students left with a clear roadmap of the diverse career paths available within the industry.

“Our visit to Albert’s Schloss was an incredible success. The day provided our students with high-energy, real-world experience that you simply can’t replicate in a classroom. It was wonderful to see them so engaged with the team. The session didn’t just teach them new skills; it truly reinforced and reinstated their prior learning by putting theory into practice.” Sheri Cadwallader, Senior Technician at South & City College Birmingham.

“Days like this are so important for us as a business. Giving students hands-on exposure to real hospitality environments helps bridge the gap between learning and industry, and the students were fantastic – curious, engaged and full of ideas. Watching them design and build their own mocktails with our team was a real highlight, and it’s exciting to see such strong future talent coming through hospitality.” Jacqui Roylance, Head of Talent at Albert’s Schloss.

A huge thank you to the entire team at Albert’s Schloss Birmingham for hosting such an inspiring and educational day!