On Thursday, Chef Kev and I visited Reading College with five students (Ollie, Jakob, Ronnie, Alfie and Ethan) who all have places on the Professional Culinary Arts Course for September.  This looks to be a fantastic course that has been developed in partnership with Heston Blumenthal and the Fat Duck Group.

We were made very welcome by Chef Mark and his team.   Following COVID guidelines (masks off for a quick photo), we had a tour of the kitchens and what, in normal times, would be their restaurant where all the food is prepared and served by the students.  Chef Mark spoke about what the students will learn on the course and the high standards they are expected to achieve, but also about the amazing opportunities that will be on offer to them once they qualify.

Thank you to Chef Mark and his team and also to Penny (Reading College) and Anna-May (Bracknell College), our Schools Partnership Executives, who facilitated this visit – we were their first visitors since March 2020 – so it was a big event for all of us.  Thank you too to Mr Bailey for driving us to Reading.

Chef Kev and I wish all the students every success on their course and look forward to visiting the restaurant in the future to sample their cooking!

Sally Ingels
Careers Adviser