"This is not just a triumph of hospitality excellence, but a beacon of inspiration for our learners."
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Truro and Penwith College is celebrating as not just one, but both its training restaurants are shortlisted for a national award of excellence.
Only three UK restaurants made it to the final round of the prestigious AA College Restaurant of the Year competition, with Truro and Penwith College scooping two final places.
The students and staff from Senara Restaurant at Penwith College in Penzance and Spires Restaurant at Truro College received the exciting news during a day-long competition held at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham.
Having both restaurants make the final is the icing on the cake for the College. Associate Director for Occupational Studies at Truro and Penwith College David Izzard is delighted.
“This is not just a triumph of hospitality excellence, but a beacon of inspiration for our learners,” he said. “Competing at such a prestigious level has had a profound, meaningful impact, showcasing the exceptional teaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and the unwavering commitment to meet the evolving needs of Cornwall’s vibrant hospitality profession, providing our learners with all the skills, knowledge and behaviours to be successful in this vibrant industry.”
Along with hopeful future chefs and hospitality trainees from across the country, the talented students from across Cornwall decorated cakes, participated in a barista masterclass, before presenting their inspiring original ideas on how to attract and retain future staff in the hospitality sector to a judging panel of industry experts.
Following the presentations, Judge Lisa Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts said: “The 2024 College Restaurant of the Year final presentations were inspiring, and it is crucial that we, as an industry, listen to these young people (and their lecturers) to make sure we can continue to rely on them to keep hospitality moving.”
Fellow judge Charlotte Horler, Hotel Manager at the Grand Hotel Birmingham, added: “Seeing the genuine passion for hospitality and the insight of the young people we have hot on our heels was inspiring and humbling.”
The AA award is only open to colleges that have received accreditation from People 1st International – a stamp of approval that recognises colleges that deliver excellent full-time hospitality qualifications – and that also hold an AA College Rosette for their restaurant.
Senara was crowned College Restaurant of the Year 2022 but it’s the first national final for Spires.
All eyes will now be on the glitzy awards dinner at the Grosvenor House London on the 23rd September, to see who is served up the ultimate winning title of the best College restaurant in the country.