Four learners tell us about their experience of studying catering and hospitality at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Pibwrlwyd campus
Introduction
Studying catering and hospitality at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Pibwrlwyd campus opens up opportunities to work within the professional cooking and front of house service professions, whilst learning specialist skills from lecturers who have worked as professional chefs and in hospitality management roles.
The college’s commercial training restaurant, Cegin Sir Gâr and industry-equipped kitchens offer students a space to gain hands on experience in a realistic environment.
Lecturers have a wealth of experience in restaurants, event and hotel management, some have worked with Michelin starred chefs, own their own business and have worked at prestigious venuses such as The Ritz.
There are also lots of opportunities to compete in Wales and WorldSkills UK competitions and join the college’ host of medal winners who have progressed to successful careers.
Inspiring talks, workshops and visits from professionals in the industry also enhance the learner journey.
Robert, Corey, Ryan and Harry are currently studying level one catering and hospitality and want to share their experience of the course, which they began this September.
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Robert recently met renowned chef, Michel Roux Jr at The Good Food Show in Birmingham on a college trip where he had a book signed.
“I was inspired to come and study at Coleg Sir Gâr, as my mother, who is a catering manager, studied there many years ago. Meeting Michel Roux was amazing and he asked me about the course I’m on and said that he’s happy to see a new generation coming through with an interest in cooking.
Personally, I like baking and patisserie and the cooking side, but since I’ve started, I’ve got interested in the hospitality element learning about measures and drinks that accompany food. There’s good support too, I feel happy coming to college. My lecturer is very supportive, she’s a happy person and when you need help, it’s there.”
Inspired by home cooking and famous chefs, Harry says that people who create a bad image of the industry are wrong if you have the passion to work hard and succeed.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and have baked a lot with my mother. When I was younger, I used to watch Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and sit there thinking that’s what I want to do. I really enjoyed the college trip to The Good Food Show, it was brilliant and almost overwhelming but in a good way.
Seeing Michel Roux Jr was amazing, I worked with someone who was a big fan of his so I was familiar with his work and I think he’s an incredible chef. I like the way he can make great meals that look amazing from simple ingredients.
I love this course; you’re not sitting down all the time and you get to do lots of different things. I have learned new things like knife skills and making choux and sweet pastries. The tutors are great and I know I can ask any of them anything and get the help I need. Personally, I think that too many people create a bad image of the industry and I think they’re wrong because if you have a passion for it, you will enjoy it.”
Catering and hospitality was always going to be Corey’s career of choice.
“My mother is a catering manager at the college and I’ve always helped her out there and in other venues she’s worked at, so it was a natural step for me to study catering and hospitality. There’s lots to do at college, we work in the main kitchen and the task kitchen where we prepare and practice skills and make food to serve in Cegin Sir Gâr.
We all get on well and learn lots of new cooking skills such as making sauces, homemade bread and meringue. The teaching support is great, it’s very relaxed and I learn a lot from our chats.”
For Ryan, college was the only place to go to learn professional catering and hospitality skills.
“I’ve always been interested in cooking and being a chef and I thought it’s better to go to college to learn how to do that. I like to cook at home and I took cookery as a subject at school. I really enjoyed the college trip to The Good Food Show, there was lots to do and see and I enjoyed seeing all the industry representatives and companies there.
Because I enjoy cooking, I wasn’t sure what to expect learning about hospitality but I’m actually enjoying it all and it shows me things from both perspectives and I know what I need to do. Going to college is giving me the experience to make me better at what I do. The tutors are also very encouraging and are really nice and approachable, which makes a difference to your everyday learning.”