Weston College was excited to welcome back professional chef Andy Chan for a special evening takeover where he led a hands-on masterclass with our Hospitality and Catering students.

Andy, who appeared on MasterChef, is now a Development Chef at Compass Foodbuy Culinary Solutions and was previously Head Chef at Thornbury Castle. With years of industry experience, he gave students a valuable opportunity to learn directly from a top-level chef in a real restaurant setting.

Students helped prepare and serve a seasonal fine dining menu that included dishes such as Butternut Squash Hummus with Roasted Balsamic Shallots, and a choice of Grilled Mackerel Fillet or King Oyster Mushroom Scallops for starters.

For the main course, guests could enjoy either Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Pomme Dauphine or a vegan-friendly Marinated Cauliflower dish with cumin spiced vegetables and vegan cheese. The evening ended with a Dark Chocolate Fondant served with Raspberry Sorbet and Chocolate Crumb.

Our students have been lucky enough to receive multiple masterclasses from Andy, allowing him to see the progression of skills and technique throughout the year. Andy said:

“I was looking forward to cooking with Pete and the students, it’s brilliant to see what they have achieved so far and challenge them on some current techniques that are used in the industry today.

The menu was designed to show the students what they can do with certain ingredients and how to get as much out of the ingredients, whilst still looking at the seasonality and availability of local produce.”

The event was a great experience for everyone involved and highlighted Weston College’s ongoing commitment to giving students the chance to learn from industry professionals and prepare for successful careers in hospitality. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Hospitality and Catering courses, click here.

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.

Three Sport students from Weston College recently competed in the Somerset Schools' Golf Championship, held at Weston Golf Club on March 19th. The event brought together over 100 talented students from across Somerset, all competing for a place in the prestigious South West Championships. 

Weston College students Oliver, Troy and Isaac delivered outstanding performances, with Troy and Ollie securing places in the top six and advancing to the next round at Enmore Park Golf Club on May 27th. Ollie impressed with an amazing second-place finish, posting a gross score of 71, while Troy claimed fifth place with a strong gross score of 72. Isaac also achieved a very respectable net score of 72. 

The championship offered the students a valuable opportunity to test their skills in a competitive environment and to connect with other young golfers who share their passion for the sport. Their achievements mark a proud moment for Weston College, highlighting the hard work, dedication, and talent of its students. The Somerset Schools' Golf Championship plays an important role in promoting golf among young people, ensuring equal opportunities for students to experience and excel in the game. 

If you are interested in applying to one our Sport & Fitness courses, click here. 

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. 

A group of Year 1 T-Level Design, Surveying, and Planning for Construction learners recently welcomed two guest speakers, Sam Lillywhite and Katie Corbett, from the Bristol-based construction company, Bray & Slaughter. 

Sam Lillywhite, a Construction Management Apprentice, delivered an engaging and insightful presentation about his journey in the construction industry. He spoke about his path from leaving school to securing his current role at Bray & Slaughter.  

Along the way, Sam faced setbacks, including losing his job after his previous employer went into administration at the end of last year. However, through perseverance, professional connections, and determination, he was able to secure a new position with Bray & Slaughter within just four weeks. 

Sam also shared details about his current role on a regeneration project for North Somerset Council, located on the High Street in Weston-super-Mare. He described what a typical day looks like on site, offering students a clear picture of a career in construction management. 

Following Sam’s presentation, Katie Corbett introduced herself and her role as the Social Value, Equality, Diversity; Inclusion (ED&I) Manager at Bray & Slaughter. She explained how her position was created in response to recent updates in the Government Procurement Act, which now requires public sector construction projects to incorporate more social value. This includes collaborating with local colleges and promoting apprenticeships. 

The session concluded with a Q&A, giving learners the opportunity to ask thoughtful and relevant questions, not only about the construction industry, but also about starting a professional career and adapting to unfamiliar roles. The students demonstrated maturity and curiosity, particularly in asking how to navigate uncertainty in new professional environments. 

Daniel Comerford, one of our Construction Professions lecturers, reflected on the event, adding, “this presentation gave learners an amazing, first-hand insight into construction management from a young professional still early in his career. Sam and Katie offered honest, personal experiences and highlighted the importance of resilience when facing setbacks, something that can be difficult for young adults to fully grasp. Hearing it from peers closer to their age made it much more impactful.” 

Thank you to both Sam and Katie for taking the time to come and talk to our T-Level learners and share their experiences. We look forward to collaborating with Bray & Slaughter again in the future. 

This Guest Lecture forms part of the Construction 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.