Weston College has welcomed students from a number of local secondary schools on an enrichment project to give them a taste of the hospitality industry.

Students from Priory, Worle, Broadoak, and Hans Price schools came to the College over the last four weeks to learn about cooking on a Catering Enrichment Project set up by the College’s school partnerships team.

The project came to a close with a large celebration, where the students cooked a full three-course meal for their family and teachers in Weston College’s Grove Training Restaurant. Over the duration of the project, they were guided and taught by Weston College staff who have helped them find out what it’s really like to work in the industry.

The students cooked a delicious meal consisting of soup to start, followed by chicken chasseur, and then chocolate brownie for dessert. They all worked together as a team to produce the meal, as they would in a real-life restaurant.

Sandra Bull, Area Manager of Hair, Beauty, Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said: “We are always excited to welcome budding young chefs into the College! As our facilities are all commercial standard, it’s an excellent opportunity for them to get a real feel for what working in the industry is actually like.

“The hospitality and catering industry is growing so quickly that it’s important to show young people how enjoyable and fulfilling a career in the industry can be. We offer plenty of courses to help them on their way, too!”

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A Weston College Sixth Form student has finished runner-up in a national Young Enterprise award. Having already won the Regional Journey Award, and being one of just 3 people selected to go forward nationally.

Ilja Voroncovs was shortlisted in the ‘Journey’ category following his work on the Young Enterprise Company Programme.

The ceremony was held at London’s County Hall on July 6.

Ilja, who studies A Levels in Psychology and Sociology, and an Extended Certificate in Applied Science, won through to the national final after winning district and regional stages.

Ilja was accompanied to London by, his tutor, Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-ordinator for the Sixth Form.

“We’re incredibly proud of Ilja and his achievements” said Elinor. “He’s grown tremendously and is deserving of the recognition.

“I nominated Ilja due to his increased confidence over the programme. Ilja was extremely shy at the beginning of the course, but flourished as a result of the opportunity with the Young Enterprise.

“The most rewarding aspect was that not only did his team, business advisors and I see the growth in Ilja, but he recognised it in himself.”

The Young Enterprise Company Programme is billed as “the ultimate teenage enterprise challenge”. Over the course of a year groups of students create and run real profit-generating businesses under the guidance of an expert business volunteer.

Journey Award nominators had to show how the programme helped the student develop the confidence to talk to strangers, deliver an empowering speech, overcome an obstacle or discover a new ability.

Ilja was among just a handful of students to reach the national final, out of the 16,500 who took part in this year’s Company Programme.

After finishing runner-up, Ilja said "I already felt like a winner".