Neath College Students Prepare @Ospreys Christmas Cracker

Staff and students at Blasus, NPTC Group of Colleges’ training restaurant, have helped fuel the Ospreys squad with festive delights ahead of their clash with Stade Français Paris this weekend at the Liberty Stadium.

For the fifth year in a row, the Ospreys tucked into turkey and all the trimmings prepared by staff and hospitality students at the popular restaurant based at Neath College. It didn’t take long for the team to get into the Christmas spirit, pulling crackers and telling their favourite festive jokes. Alumni Justin Tipuric took on Sam Cross in the Christmas cracker joke-off.

College staff and students were delighted to host the team, but it’s not just at Christmas that they are busy working hard. The unique restaurant, coffee shop and bakery, open to public, is renowned for its excellence in culinary arts, catering and hospitality, and has been training students and serving the community for more than 50 years.

Ospreys Captain Justin Tipuric, said: “The team’s Christmas dinner at Blasus is now an Ospreys tradition at this time of the year and we are grateful to be invited back each year.

“So many of us at the team are former students of the College so it’s fantastic to be able to visit and for the boys to enjoy what is always a brilliant meal prepared by the current students. We have a close relationship with NPTC Group of Colleges and this is just a part of that, but it’s a part that we really enjoy!”

Paul Pearce, Deputy Head of Hospitality and Catering at the College, said: “The experience is great for the students who prepare and serve the food as part of their training. It’s the best way to learn and we are delighted that the Ospreys return year upon year.”