‘Magnifique’ work experience for food students

Food students from Tameside College spent an exciting and inspirational week working in London restaurant, Galvin at Windows, as part of their work experience programme.

Finley Mees, Sophie Reilly and Teisha Baker from the college’s catering and hospitality department spent five days working as front of house and kitchen staff in the michelin starred restaurant, managed by famous ‘First Dates’ maître d’, Fred Sirieix.

The restaurant, based in the heart of London, on the 28^th floor of the Hilton, is one of the UK’s most exclusive and talked about fine-dining venues offering French-style cuisine to guests.

Finley, a professional cookery student at the college and former Hyde Community College pupil, worked with sous chef, Benjamin Hobson, who supervises the many staff in the restaurant’s kitchen. He worked to prepare some of the starter dishes for guests, as well as meat and fish courses.

He said: “This has been an incredible experience and I’m so lucky to have been a part of it.  The restaurant is such a friendly environment and the food I’ve been part of making has been on another level.  I just want to thank Galvin for this week – it’s been amazing.”

Sophie, a former Longdendale High School pupil and Teisha, worked in the dining area of the restaurant, assisting staff to serve customers, take part in tray service and keep customers satisfied.

The opportunity to work with the Galvin’s team came about after John Holden, food and beverage teacher at Tameside College contacted Fred via Twitter, commenting on the opportunities for young chefs and front of house staff in the industry.

Fred Sirieix, the general manager at Galvin at Windows, said: “I am very pleased to be working alongside Tameside College, to help provide their students with the opportunity to enter this exciting industry.  I am really happy that the students are enjoying their placement here at Galvin at Windows and I would encourage them to keep persevering and working hard.  It is a great experience, for us, to have such a talented and driven group of students joining us this week.”

John Holden, said: “We are so privileged to have such a distinguished restaurant such as Galvin take our students on for work experience.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Teisha, Sophie and Finley and I’m so pleased that they have been a credit to the college and also themselves.  This will open so many doors for them in the future.  A big thank you to Fred and his team at Galvin for supporting our students and the industry.”

To find out more about catering and hospitality courses at Tameside College, click here or call 0161 908 6600.