Chris Ward, one of North Hertfordshire College’s Level 2 Food & Beverage Service students, has completed work experience with McMullen’s The Millstream Pub Restaurant in Hitchin! Chris worked closely with The Millstream Front of House & Bar team during his work experience to learn more about their day-to-day tasks and the standards expected of the team.
As part of the experience, Chris has also learnt new skills which he can apply both in college and to his future career!
In his open letter, Chris told us more about his experience and his newfound knowledge:
“The first day was mainly doing the kind of things I’m quite familiar with already because I have a weekend job as a runner at a country pub, I really enjoyed this, and I found out how Front of House service varies slightly at different places.
“I really enjoyed my second shift the next week a lot, because they had me working behind the bar which I haven’t done before and that was great! Because I’m only 16, I can’t do full bar work yet; however, under supervision, I am allowed to prepare drinks orders that other people have taken.
“Although I can’t actually serve on the bar, the team showed me how to prepare lots of different drinks to be taken out to customers’ tables. Under supervision, I had a go at pulling pints, pouring lagers and ciders on electric pumps, and also learnt how to pour a Guinness properly – which takes a while to get the hang of!
“I really liked my role behind the bar because I don’t get the chance to do any of that in my job and it felt pretty good to step up into that role. I might want to do bar work in the future once I’m 18, so at least I have a bit of experience already to put on my CV!”
Thank you to the team at McMullen’s for supporting Chris in gaining such valuable experience!
If you’re interested in starting your own career in the hospitality sector, check out North Hertfordshire College’s Hospitality & Catering courses. With NHC, you can stay close to home and build fantastic connections so you go far in your career!