Visitor Economy Week Celebrations at Riverside College

Riverside College students were given an insight into future career opportunities during a series of exciting events and activities, all in celebration of Visitor Economy Week 2018.

In conjunction with other further education providers across the Liverpool City Region, Visitor Economy Week is designed to provide students with a taste of what life can be like working in hospitality, retail, travel and tourism; showcasing the variety of opportunities and diverse skills associated with the region’s growing visitor economy.

The inspirational week kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium, in which staff and students from the college were invited to hear talks from a number of guest speakers who are committed to investing in young people to help them realise their potential within the sector.

In celebration of VE Week the menu at the college’s training restaurant, Scholars, was designed around the theme of Northwest Dishes. Catering students created a series of delicious courses including Bury Scotch Eggs, Lancashire Hotpot with Braised Red Cabbage, and Cumberland Sausage with Wholegrain Mustard Mash and Onion Gravy.

During the inspirational week, catering students were treated to a chocolate making masterclass from expert pastry chefs Andrew Dale & Claudia Chignoli from Signature Living. They discussed the art of chocolate making and demonstrated how to create tempered chocolate and how to decorate.

Experts from major seafood supplier Neve Fleetwood joined the college to demonstrate to students how to professionally prepare fish. The students were able to learn techniques such as filleting and scaling fish.

A masterclass also took place at the popular bar and restaurant Alma de Cuba in Liverpool, where students learned the art of cocktail making. The group had the opportunity to learn the tricks of the bartender trade and learn how to professionally blend spirits and mixers.

The highlight of the week took place at the beautiful Richmond Hotel in Liverpool, where students from Riverside College and other further education colleges across the region teamed up to create a luxurious closing dinner. Talented catering students Charlie Kenny (from Widnes) and Lauren Salt (from Runcorn) helped prepare the menu for the busy event, creating a fantastic Lemon Mousse dessert and petit fours to finish the meal.

Several activities also took place throughout the week to celebrate the event; including a Visitor Economy Week themed cake being served, visits to local attractions and hotels, and students attended a careers event with Michael McGurk & Louise Riley from Signature Living who provided career advice talks and mock interviews.

Joanna Leather, Centre of Excellence in Hospitality and Catering tutor said, “It has been a busy and exciting week at college celebrating Visitor Economy Week for the third year running. The events have provided our students with lots of new skills, opened their eyes to lots of new career paths and created brand new links within the local industry. I would like to thank all of the guest chefs and industry speakers who joined Riverside College this week to help offer our students the best experience and opportunities possible.”