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Meet Grant Spencer - Lecturer in Hospitality & Catering
Firstly, I’d like to say how excited I am to be joining Weston College. It is an honour to be part of one of the best colleges in the South West. I have joined the Hospitality and Catering team-teaching full-time students and working with the apprenticeships as well, so I will be spending time with all the learners that the catering department supports.
I have been working in the catering industry for over 30 years now. I started off many years ago as a kitchen porter where I grew up in Canada. I attended catering college in Toronto Canada and completed my apprenticeship there before moving on to the United States working for an international hotel group. After that I moved to France where I worked in one, two- and three-star Michelin restaurants. I then moved to the UK where I worked in London for 10 years in hotels, restaurant and contract catering companies. I’ve always wanted to give something back to the industry that has given me so much. Sharing my knowledge and teaching the next generation is a great way to help ensure that the future of food in Britain is in good hands.
Over the years in my professional life I have worked in many different establishments and acquired a vast amount of practical and theorical skills and knowledge. My apprenticeship was split between one of the best restaurants in Canada and one of the biggest hotels in the country. When I worked in America, I spent one year working for an award-winning pastry chef where I was fortunate enough to be able to learn the art of making and decorating wedding cakes. In France, working in Michelin restaurants I pushed to my limits and learned new skills and refine them to a high degree. When I arrived in the UK, I found the food to be on the cutting edge of creativity and my classical French training was invaluable. I’m thankful for all the experiences I’ve had to date and I’m always happy to share that knowledge with those how are passionate about cooking.
Growing up in Canada I spent a lot of time outdoors and that has never changed. I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible when I’m not at work. Walking in the west country countryside is where you’ll most likely find me on the weekends. And with such proximity to the coast I may have a go at learning to surf one of these days. Keeping fit and enjoying the simple things in life is how I like to ensure that I’m always ready for whatever a day at college my send my way.
- Hospitality and catering courses for school leavers
- Hospitality and catering courses for adults