Fareham College’s Hospitality & Catering department were delighted to host a visit from the ‘Exclusive Chefs Academy’ today’, a career development programme created by the Exclusive Hotels and Venues Group.
Students already have the benefit of learning in industry-standard kitchens and being taught by highly-experienced professionals, but were given the additional opportunity to work alongside leading chefs from the Exclusive Hotels & Venue Group.
The day involved six Academy chefs working in pairs with Fareham College students to design and deliver a three course menu to be served to customers of Avenue 141, Fareham College’s award-winning commercial restaurant.
Patrick McLoughlin, Hospitality and Catering lecturer at Fareham College said:
“It is great to host the ‘Exclusive Chefs Academy’ here because it has given our students the unique opportunity to work alongside professional chefs and improve their understanding of what it is like to work in a professional kitchen. We have found today enormously beneficial and I’m incredibly grateful to the Exclusive Hotels & Venue Group.”
Exclusive Hotels & Venues Group boast an array of luxurious hotels and spa facilities cross Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire. The Chefs Academy is led by Andy Mackenzie who has been a chef with Exclusive Hotels and Venues for nearly 30 years. Over this period, Andy has been named Hampshire Chef of the year multiple times. He said:
“We want to inspire the future of hospitality and the best way to do that is to get amongst training students and, hopefully, encourage them pursue a career in the industry. Fareham College does a fantastic job in preparing students for employment which is why we are here today – to support young chefs who are the future of our profession.”
Lucas Kelly, Level 2 Professional Cookery student took part in the Academy masterclass and said:
“I’m really excited that Exclusive Chefs Academy have come to Fareham College. It has been great to get hands on experience working with industry professionals and I hope to work with them again in the future.”
