PRESS RELEASE
April/June 2012

Catering students get a taste of France

Over 40 lucky Hospitality and Catering students from Exeter College got the chance to experience French cuisine first-hand, thanks to funding from the Savoy Educational Trust. The students, from all course levels and including apprentices and Michael Caines Academy students, spent 4 days in the Loire Valley region of France over the Easter break.

Staying in Blois, in the heart of the Loire Valley, famed for its wine production and fine food, the students were exposed to a variety of new techniques and experiences, including mushroom cultivation, chocolate production and wine making. They tasted local delicacies including Fois Gras, Escargot and Tartare du Beouf. Also included was a day trip to the French capital, Paris, and a number of students sampled a 1 Michelin Star tasting menu.

The visit was supported by a grant from the Savoy Educational Trust, who aim to advance and develop education and training. Deputy Head of the Hospitality and Catering Faculty at Exeter College, Huw Southcott said: “The educational visit was a fantastic success, the experiences the students received allowed them to gain first -hand knowledge of how artisan skills are still fundamental to the French way of life. All learners had the opportunity to taste a variety of produce, from wine and liqueurs to chocolate. Bringing to life the classroom based theory sessions they receive at college. These European Educational visits are extremely important part of hospitality vocational programmes, and these visits would not be possible without the support of the Savoy Educational Trust, to whom we thank.”

Student Milly Blakesley, who is studying the NVQ Level 3 Food Preparation and Cooking felt the trip was beneficial: “I learnt a lot of background information on everyday products that we use at home for example, mushrooms, when we visited a mushroom cave. The trip was fun, interesting and educational and I would love to do it again!”