Visitor Economy Week: 8th-12th February 2016

Catering and Hospitality students and local school pupils were given an insight into their future career opportunities when the college organised activities to celebrate Visitor Economy Week in conjunction with other further education providers across the Liverpool City region.

All of the events taking place at the College provided the students with a taste of what life can be like working in hospitality, retail, travel and tourism. All activities were created to be fun, interactive and informative; it gave the next generation the chance to have a go and develop their knowledge and experience of their chosen career.

The inspirational week kicked off with a ‘Specialist Coffee Creations’ masterclass about the art of coffee making, which gave the hospitality students an exciting opportunity to develop the tricks of the barista trade by creating specialist coffees in ‘Scholars Restaurant’ at Riverside College.

The celebrations continued on Tuesday, when representatives from national baking suppliers ‘BAKO’ joined students from Riverside College and Wade Deacon High school to facilitate a fantastic bread and pastry making masterclass. The creative students from Wade Deacon then competed in a head to head competition aiming to create the best three tiered gateaux to celebrate Visitor Economy Week.

Scholars Restaurant then opened its doors to an array of VIP’s, local school pupils, teachers and parents on Wednesday evening. The guests were treated to a specially created menu of Chicken Marinara followed by Chocolate Marquise, guest speakers and wonderful entertainment to show off the Colleges commitment to supporting the Visitor Economy Sector in the region and promoting the excellent opportunities and training at Riverside College.

Later in the week, all students were treated to a piece of an incredible cake to conclude Visitor Economy Week, the cake was offered to visitors, staff and students in the College reception area.
Throughout the week of celebrations, students working in the College’s training restaurant ‘Scholars’ were supported by talented special guests. Guest chefs, Mark Bunting and Paul McQuirk from the Hillcrest Hotel in Widnes, Ema Wombell and Mike Shand-Davies from The Cow Shed Restaurant, Wirral provided the students with the support and knowledge that will assist them in the continuation of their studies and also gave them an exciting insight into their chosen sectors.

Ste Parkinson Head of the Centre of Excellence in Hospitality and Catering said, “At Riverside College we have spent a busy and exciting week celebrating Visitor Economy Week. During the week we have provided our students with extra skills and created more links within the local industry. I would like to thank all of the guest chefs and ex students who have joined us at College to help us offer our students the best experiences and opportunities this week.”