Martin Baker has recently taken the reigns as Head Chef of popular wedding venue, Rookery Manor, Weston-super-Mare.

As a professional chef, working long hours in a busy kitchen, Martin is only too aware of the importance of looking after health and diet. The tasty, calorie-rich dishes a chef cooks for guests at their workplace are often very different from the diet they tend to follow in between shifts and when off duty.

Martin has been working with Weston College through a chefs’ forum academy and has worked with students in the training kitchens on campus to give them a taste of what is expected of them once they make their way into the world of work. Martin is looking forward to welcoming catering students from Weston College into his kitchen for work experience at Rookery Manor.

Load up on fruit

Fruit and veg are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre - Follow this rule and you’re less likely to get high cholesterol high blood pressure and some cancers - Remember your five a day!

Eat better fats

Saturated and trans fats raise bad cholesterol levels and cause heart disease. Cut out bacon, butter, untrimmed meats… also cookies and crackers are a ‘no-no’. Swap full fat milk to semi-skimmed and try a turkey burger next time you fancy its beefy cousin!

Drink lots of water

Cut out carbonated drinks, sports drinks and coffee - six to eight pints of water per day flushes out toxins!

Eat more fibre

t reduces belly fat, gives you greater energy and lowers the chance of type 2 diabetes. Eat whole grain bread and whole meal pasta. Cook with brown rice instead of white.

Cut down portion sizes

Grab a smaller plate for food – the smaller the plate, the smaller the portion – You will still feel the satisfaction of eating a full plate.

You’ll probably find that college is different to school in many ways. Here’s a few things you might want to know about life at college...

Tutors

Teachers are known as tutors and you call them by their first name. You’ll meet your personal tutor during your induction, they will be your first point of contact for everything at college. They’ll also meet with you in 1-1 sessions to check your progress.  During your first week there will be lots of activities to help you settle in and make friends.

Responsibility

Your personal tutor will give you your timetable. You’ll be responsible for getting to College and your classes on time and for managing your own assignments.  You might find you have free time during the day, or have some days when you don’t need to come to college. But don’t forget the library is always open! At College you are given more freedom and also more responsibility. There are no buzzers to signal the start and end of lessons.

Student Services

If you’re not sure about your course, or you want some advice on careers or university the student services team is available for 1-1 support. The college also has Welfare and Learning Support teams at each of the main campuses to help you settle in and provide you with a wide range of support and guidance throughout your time at college.  If you need support for your studies or welfare support your tutor can arrange this or you can go to them directly. Click here to find out more.

More than just study

Don’t forget, College isn’t just about study, we also have the brilliant Students' Union. Become a member or get involved in the fantastic range of Sports, events and enrichment activities to make your time at college even more enjoyable.

Art and Design courses are exciting opportunities to let your creativity flow. If you’re undecided on whether or not to study an art course, here are our top 4 reasons as to why you should.

Learn a range of techniques

Our courses cover a wide selection of skills, such as painting, drawing, ceramics and photography. We will teach you new techniques, and develop your existing skills.

College facilities

Weston College has excellent facilities, we are always looking to improve the learner environment to ensure you are supported throughout your learning. We have purpose built art studios based at our Loxton Campus which will provide you with all the resources needed to develop.

Top class lecturers

Our lecturers have industry experience, and they will teach you the relevant skills needed for when you complete the course. It’s not just us that think our lecturers are great, they were also rated as outstanding by Ofsted.

Future opportunities

The industry is expected to grow 5.3% in the build up to 2024, which will provide you with more job opportunities. Art and Design covers an array of exciting occupations, from illustration to teaching, there are lots of opportunities for you. There is also the potential to earn huge sums of money, whilst working in a job you love.

If you would like more information on our Art and Design courses click here.