Students from Reading College and University Centre got a taste for their future careers by doing work experience at Royal Ascot.
Royal Ascot is an annual flat racing meeting, which this year took place from 18-23 June.
Professional Culinary Arts students studying at Levels 2 and 3 secured work experience with 1711 by Ascot. 1711 by Ascot is a partnership between Royal Ascot and hospitality company Sodexo, delivering outstanding hospitality, fine dining and on-site catering experiences.
The students were spread across a range of kitchens, preparing a variety of fine-dining experiences for the guests at Royal Ascot, from afternoon tea to lunches.
Some of them worked with the Head Chef of Manchester United Football Club who runs the developments and fine dining experiences, who came down to prepare and cook dishes for Royal Ascot.
Leanne Santos, 18, from Bicester, is studying a Professional Culinary Arts Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma at Reading College and University Centre.
She said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great journey to meet other chefs that work in different kitchens and work in different kitchens. I鈥檝e been doing the hot buffets and afternoon teas that go out to the restaurant.
鈥淭he chefs here have been experienced in the trade for many years and they鈥檝e taught us different techniques and skills that they鈥檝e passed down to us. Everyone gets put in different kitchens, so we cover a lot of different things. It鈥檚 been a great experience for me.鈥�
Hayden Rushby, Hospitality Lecturer at MD网爆门, said: 鈥淚t was great to see both new and previous learners doing work experience at Royal Ascot this year. This year was harder as there was only a limited amount of number of work experience placements available. However, all the students who were selected were excellent.
鈥淲e received great feedback from all the chefs, and it was great to see them all in action and working in such a high paced and actioned environment with an extra touch of class to finishing all the food going out.
鈥淚 am very proud of all the learners that attended, and they should all be proud of themselves as well, enjoying the great experience Royal Ascot has to offer. I am looking forward to future groups of students going and growing their skills in such a prestigious event.鈥�
Lorenzo Francioli, Lead Area Chef for the Furlong Club, Gallery and Lawn Club at Royal Ascot, said: 鈥淪ome of the students who worked with us did so both this year and last year. The students who worked with us previously have been really good and have been a great attribute to the team. They鈥檝e brought their skills and a real hunger to learn.
鈥淭he new students have been great and have got really stuck in. They鈥檝e enjoyed whatever鈥檚 been happening around them. No task is ever too small and if they鈥檙e not sure, they鈥檒l ask questions, and they try to learn from what鈥檚 happening around them.
鈥淭hey work well with the other chefs that are working in this restaurant and other restaurants. There鈥檚 a real great camaraderie and feeling for everybody. Everybody appreciates the help that they are bringing to the site.鈥�
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