As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we’re talking to some of the inspirational students, staff and alumni who have helped make us the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today. 

Exeter College’s current hospitality and catering students are following a legacy of success for the department. As we reflect on three then-Exeter College students making the headlines on this month 42 years ago, our current fledgling students are also cooking up a storm in the region’s culinary competitions.  

Then… 

In February 1972, three Exeter College students won the first prize with their dishes at the ‘Cater 78’ competition for the second year running. The annual contest, held in Paignton, was the most significant provincial catering exhibition in Britain at the time.  

The second year culinary arts students created lavish dishes as part of the contest. One team member, Andrew Corrick from Sidmouth, spent a total of 19 hours preparing and cooking his fish dish which landed him the first prize. Exmouth’s Julia Shackleford and Charles Moore from Dawlish were the other winners on the night.  

The Head of Food and Fashion at the time said he was proud of the students’ success.   

“The judges told us afterwards that the standard of our work was higher than that seen recently at the National Culinary Competition at Olympia.” 

And now… 

Forty-two years later and our hospitality and catering students are still flying high. This month a group of students competed in the Major Series competition, bringing home medals for their achievements.   

The annual Major Series competition, in association with The Craft Guild of Chefs, aims to provide students with the opportunity to showcase their skills while competing against their peers from other colleges.  

With categories ranging from the ‘Hot Chicken Challenge’ to the ‘Decorated Gateau Class’, students can demonstrate and build on a range of skills.  

Our students once again impressed the judges, with three students coming home with gold, seven with silver and four with bronze medals.   

Mark Stoyle, Programme Leader for Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, accompanied the students to this year’s Major Series event.   

“As always, the students have made our faculty and the college amazingly proud. They have come back with a good haul of medals – excellent results throughout,” said Mark.   

Rosie Nevill, Level 3 Professional Cookery student, will be going to London for the national final next year. Rosie has also been asked to return as one of the judges in 2021. 

Exeter College is celebrating 50 years since being named as the UK’s first tertiary college. Although our roots date back to the 1800s, our status as a tertiary college marked a revolution in further education and 2020 marks our 50 years of excellence since that landmark. If you have a memory of Exeter College through the years that you’d like to share, contact marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk or get involved on social media using #ExeColl50