University partners with 3 Michelin star The Fat Duck to boost hospitality education

Undergraduate students will get to work with one of the world’s most high-profile chefs and restaurants thanks to a new partnership struck by the University of Plymouth.

The Fat Duck, Heston Blumenthal’s flagship restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, has become an official partner of the University’s Hotel School, which delivers hospitality and cruise management degree programmes within Plymouth Business School.

The Fat Duck joins existing partners including Dartington, Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish and The Goring Hotel in Belgravia, London.

The new relationship will mean students can tap into The Fat Duck’s industry-leading expertise, boosting their employability and gaining unique, behind the scenes access to one of the world’s great dining experiences.

Working with The Fat Duck staff, University academics are developing a programme that will see students get full value from the partnership. It is likely to include placement opportunities, reciprocal visits and talks by The Fat Duck’s expert staff, who will also be consulted on course content and assessments to ensure graduates leave with a skillset matching the demands of the modern high-end hospitality industry.

Mandy Aggett, Co-Director of the Hotel School and Programme Lead for undergraduate hospitality courses said:

“We are thrilled to partner with the Fat Duck. Such partnerships support our mission to develop highly employable graduates, and meet the needs of today’s industry.

“The Fat Duck partnership offers the next generation of industry managers an insight into exceptional and unique dining experiences, and we are delighted to welcome them to our Hotel School.”

A spokesman for The Fat Duck said:

“Evoking positive nostalgic moments for our guests is at the centre of what we do. To do this successfully, it will require a team of ever-searching perfectionists who really do question everything.

“Our Storytellers tell their own story as well as reigniting the guests’ own memories. Imagine biting into a dish and suddenly the emotions of eating a vinegar soaked chip on the beaches of Cornwall come flooding back. Or smelling the freshly fried batter from a batch of donuts wafting by your table and you are instantly transported back to the funfair.

“From immersing yourself into the world of coffee and wine to taking the guest’s experience to the next level by bringing in your own creativity and inspiration, the opportunities at The Fat Duck are truly endless.

“We are very much looking forward to embarking with the University of Plymouth Hotel School on a journey of wonderosity and discovery.”