Hospitality
In September 2008, we were very excited to be able to move into The Combe, our new restaurant. After so much planning and preparation, seeing all our hard work realised was a fantastic lift to the teachers and the group of students who are the first to use the facility. BTEC Hospitality is a new course to the College.
The Combe comprises a forty cover restaurant that has already developed a reputation for excellent food in a calm and relaxing environment. Connected to The Combe is a brand new, industrial standard, training kitchen comprising a wide range of facilities. One of the teachers on the course, a qualified chef who used to work at a famous hotel in London, says it is the best kitchen he has ever worked in.
The staff and students at The Combe are currently developing links with the local community in terms of the supply of food, beverages and equipment, and possible links for work experience. The Unique Selling Point of The Combe, however, is the close links we will have with the College’s Farm Unit. The aim is that the majority of the produce cooked and served in The Combe will come from the Farm Unit. The first such event to demonstrate this was a ‘bangers and mash’ winter warmer lunch held for College staff in October. This link shows that the staff and students at The Combe are committed to supporting local industry, and are keen to be aware of the provenance of the ingredients used.
The Combe will be open for lunch every Wednesday from November the 12th. Service time is from 12.30pm until 1.30pm. Bookings can be made by calling the Skills and Enterprise Centre Reception on 01643 700335, or The Combe direct on 01643 700322.