At North Hertfordshire College, we’re proud to work with teaching teams who are experienced in their industry and have a strong network of industry connections. These connections support our students by providing opportunities for guest speaker appearances, live demos, and even potential work experience placements!
Our Level 3 Catering students have recently worked with Alan Paton, Executive Head Chef at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, for a cooking demonstration. Alan is a member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain as well as a judge and member of the Craft Guild of Chefs. Above all, Alan is renowned for his work with pork, and has won multiple awards for his ideas and innovation.
As part of the practical session, our students enjoyed a demonstration on how to prepare, cook, and serve pork and black pudding in exciting and innovative ways. Alan prepared three takes on a black pudding terrine: first in a banqueting style, one in a bistro style, and one plated for fine dining. He was then given a mystery box of pork fillet, butternut squash, rhubarb, and store cupboard dry ingredients, and produced 5 different dishes in 30 minutes!
The experience has certainly made a big impression on our students, and we’re thrilled that they enjoyed it so much. Paris Bodner, one of our Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery students, said: “I’m extremely grateful to Alan for an incredible experience. We all appreciated it, and the dishes he created have inspired me massively!”
Anthony Gascoigne, one of NHC’s catering tutors, said: “Alan is an extremely talented chef so for our students to have the opportunity of a masterclass from him was one not to be missed. Alan not only demonstrated excellent skills, but he also emphasised what is required to be successful in hospitality and how best to go about achieving it. I’m extremely grateful to Alan for providing this opportunity for our young chefs and for agreeing to be a mentor in future competitions.”
If you’re interested in building your skills and knowledge in hospitality and catering, and want to take part in some amazing experience along the way, why not check out NHC’s available course options? Find who you want to be!
