Westminster Kingsway’s global reach reaps rewards

Westminster Kingsway College recently welcomed a group of 20 students all the way from Hyejeon College in South Korea. The students took part in a 3-week customised training programme that we designed to improve their Culinary and Patisserie skills.

The programme offered students a unique experience to study in the heart of London, with the added benefit of training in English.

Students participated in practical skills training with chef lecturer Ian Sutton in Westminster Kingsway College’s renowned training kitchens, utilising the high quality, specialist teaching facilities and real working environment. Students were also given an exclusive opportunity to shadow chefs at some of London’s top restaurants.

These included:

• Jinjuu, a modern Korean restaurant led by TV celebrity chef Judy Joo
• Galvin at Windows, Michelin starred restaurant at the Hilton Park Lane
• Lucky Cat, Gordon Ramsay’s new Asian eating house

Students also completed job shadowing at the Fitzrovia branch of Bao, a trendy Taiwanese restaurant as well as the restaurant based in Allbright, a women’s only members club where the kitchen is led by executive chef Sabrina Gidda who has repeatedly appeared on the TV show The Great British Menu.  

Students were presented with fantastic opportunities to engage with industry through workplace shadowing and guided visits around London’s most iconic food markets. The Westking International team hosted a London orientation walking tour for the group, passing some of London’s most iconic landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. 

There was also a visit to the Sky Garden; London’s highest public garden, which has 360 degree uninterrupted views across the City of London. 

Feedback of the Culinary and Patisserie classes was excellent, with 100% of students rating the facilities available at our Victoria centre as top-quality and all students stated they would recommend this programme to a peer.

Student comments included:

“The job shadowing allowed me to make many new dishes – it was such a great experience.”

“I really enjoyed the British culture.”

“The different teaching methods are great in the UK. I like that the teachers are so open minded.”

This is the second time the hospitality training programme has been delivered for students of Hyejeon College and Westminster Kingsway College look forward to continuing their strong partnership.

These students travelled all the way to London from South Korea because of Westminster Kingsway College’s reputation and history in the world of hospitality and culinary arts. Every year dozens of our students leave WestKing to start jobs in the finest hotels, restaurants and kitchens.