A select group of local food experts, education leaders and media experts were treated to a personalised masterclass and cook-a-long session from the local Michelin-starred chef, Michael Caines, to launch Exeter College's new student-based Skills Kitchen this week.

The new Skills Kitchen, created by the College with Michael Caines and In-toto Kitchens at the helm of the design, provides a demonstration-style kitchen that complements the large industry-standard kitchens that already exist in the College's hospitality and catering facilities at the College's Hele Road campus. The elite Michael Caines Academy students have been testing out the new facilities during the term and the college is now planning a series of short courses for visitors of all ages to experiment and develop a range of culinary skills.

“We are delighted to be officially launching our Skills Kitchen today” said Iain Hatt Assistant Principal, “with this exciting cook-a-long of business, media and hospitality and catering experts with our catering Academy students – showcasing not only these great facilities but also the culinary skills of our students. This is another landmark in the important partnership between the College and one of its famous alumni and mentors – Michael Caines – who has not only helped us design these first class facilities with In-toto Kitchens – but also provides the inspiration and watchful eye for our Michael Caines Academy students ensuring this elite programme generates the next generation of restaurateurs, chefs, front of house staff and managers for this important sector.”

Challenged to cook recipes from Michael Caines' own cook book, the competitors included Gordon Bates, Director from In-toto Kitchens and one of the recent sponsors of the Academy together with media and food experts from BBC Spotlight and Devon Life; James Dart – local champion of fine and local food from Darts Farm; a student governor – herself an ex Michael Caines student; Vice Chair of Governors and the Principal of Exeter College, Richard Atkins. Donning aprons, the visitors were each supported by a Michael Caines Academy student working together against the clock to produce either pan roasted chicken dish or risotto to a standard then judged by the two Michelin-starred chef himself.

“If there is one chef in Britain that most of us would love the chance to cook with it is Michael Caines so I was expecting this cook off to be fun and inspiring and I was not disappointed” said Susan Clark Devon Life and author of The Sunday Times Vitality Cookbook. “What I didn't expect was to be cooking in such a fantastic purpose-built training space or the support of the Academy's current crop of students whose talent and professionalism made us amateurs look good! The Michael Caines' Academy at Exeter College – complete with its new 16 station training kitchen – is a real asset to Devon's foodie scene and I, for one, can't wait to be invited back to cook there again!”

“Installing the skills kitchen for Exeter College and the Michael Caines Academy has been an extremely rewarding project for In-toto Exeter, said partner and director, Gordon Bates” We were delighted to work with Michael and the team at Exeter College to create a kitchen that matches the requirements of this exceptional training establishment and are very excited to see the kitchen in use by the chefs of tomorrow!”

Iain Hatt explained the investment in the new facilities “Whilst the college was already proud of its professional industry- standard kitchens that supports the training of over 300 hospitality and catering students and our commercial fine dining restaurant @34, our continued growth and specialism training created the need for a bespoke demonstration kitchen worthy of all the best TV Cook shows. What better way to celebrate the talents of our students and the close working partnership of our industry and media colleagues than joining together in a unique Masterclass with Michael Caines!”