Your Hired! Catering students compete for apprenticeship 17-Jun-2011
Wise Catering and City College Southampton have teamed up to launch an apprentice style competition that will see budding catering students compete for the chance to win an apprenticeship and cook a menu of their own design at a gala event.NVQ level 2 catering students will be asked to prepare and serve a Wise Catering signature dish of oven roasted herb crusted rack of Welsh lamb and accompaniments; a dish it serves to hundreds of guests at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. NVQ Level 3 students will design and create a three course-banqueting menu completely from scratch.
Wise Catering is offering the level 3 winner a catering apprenticeship as part of the overall prize, together with the opportunity to serve their menu at a gala event to be held in the city later in the year. Level 2 winners are being given the chance to work with the company at this year’s Wimbledon Tennis Championship. They will also receive £100 of vouchers.
The contest will take place on 14th June and the judging panel will comprise of representatives from City College, Wise Catering and the Daily Echo. The panel will include the CEO of City College, Lindsey Noble, Managing Director of Wise Catering, Chris Treacher, and Head Chef, Alan Stubbington.
Chris Treacher, Managing Director of Wise Catering commented: “I’m a strong supporter of apprenticeships and providing would-be chefs with vocational experience. Real exposure to a busy kitchen is worth its weight in gold for those wanting to embark on a catering career. We hope this competition will provide students with just that and result in Wise Catering saying you’re hired to a new talented chef. "
Head Chef, Alan Stubbington added: “The contest has been designed to really test the students on a number of levels. The team of judges will be looking for students to display a broad range of catering skills together with individual flair and talent. We will really be turning up the heat in the kitchen.”
Lindsey Noble, Principal and CEO of City College, added: “We are committed to working with businesses to provide workplace opportunities for our students and this another great example of partnership in action. Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular and the chance to win one with such a highly-regarded company is a fantastic opportunity. All of our students hone their skills in an environment that mirrors the workplace, thanks to our new commercial kitchens and restaurant, so every one of them is well-placed to jump straight into the kitchen with Wise Catering. ”
Wise Catering and its subsidiary Events Bar Management operate from purpose built premises in Woolston on the banks of the River Itchen. It also caters for weddings, private and public events and is exclusive caterer to the world famous PSP Southampton Boat Show.
