Last term, our Level 3 Hospitality and Catering students took a trip to The Pony restaurant in Chew Magna where they took part in a cookery class and foraged for their own ingredients, giving them valuable lessons on seasonal ingredients and how to look for them.

The Pony is a produce-led restaurant which offers cooking classes to aspiring chefs, teaching people different methods of cooking, knife skills, and specific meals that can be difficult to learn independently. They offer workshops and classes, as well as tasting evenings and demonstrations from professional chefs.  

Our students took part in a foraging walk where they collected some of their own ingredients followed by a cookery class where they made a delicious risotto. By foraging for their own ingredients, students learnt valuable wild food skills and the impact that seasonal vegetables can have on the dishes they create. Wild food is also often more enriched with nutrients, and this experience gave our students a deeper appreciation for nature and the ecosystem by sustainably resourcing their own food, making this meal more rewarding and valuable. 

Our Hospitality and Catering students have many opportunities within the college to develop their skills such as catering for awards nights, hosting weekly dinner services at our in-house restaurant, and serving regular hot and cold lunches for students and staff across the college. Students have also taken part in workshops with professional chefs and trips to local restaurants and kitchens to enhance their skills and learn new techniques from a range of industry professionals. 

This experience was a fantastic opportunity for our students to step out of their comfort zone and trial new recipes and techniques, building their confidence and adaptability to use the resources available to them and preparing them to become experts in the field.  

Thank you to staff at The Pony in Chew Magna for welcoming our students and sharing their broad knowledge of ingredients. 

This curriculum trip forms part of the Hospitality and Catering Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.