Caterer KUDOS has started taking on students from Westminster Kingsway College in London, allowing them to gain essential hospitality experience within the Gibson Hall and Kudos Delivered kitchens.
The students from Westminster Kingsway College – whose notable alumni includes Jamie Oliver and Anthony Worrall Thompson – are working on a monthly rotation for four weeks before returning to college. On the first day, students worked from 9am until 4pm in the kitchens and the next few days will involve them working from 8am until 4pm. This makes it suitable for all age groups and coincides with the college and national working regulations.
This isn’t the first time that work experience – which doesn’t affect their studies and helps them improve on their professionalism and skills in the kitchen environment – has been offered by KUDOS. Central Hall Westminster has been running the scheme for commis chefs from Westminster Kingsway College in its Central London kitchen for many years.
Richard Webb, Head Chef at Kudos Delivered, is in charge of the scheme and commented: “It is just fantastic that the students from Westminster Kingsway College have this once in a lifetime opportunity to work with some of the best chefs around at such a young age.
“Not only are the students learning about special cooking techniques, allergen information and creating Michelin-starred dishes, but they are also receiving assistance and guidance with their college courses from world class chefs.”
Andrew Lansdell, First Year Professional Chef Diploma Work Externships Coordinator at Westminster Kingsway College, said: “At Westminster Kingsway College we send our First Year Professional Chef Diploma students out on a four week externship to a variety of top establishments within the food service sector. KUDOS has been working alongside us for several years at Central Hall Westminster’s conference centre and more recently, Gibson Hall. We know the fantastic support we have received from them will continue to help our students gain experience and help develop their workplace skills to set them up for a great career in the industry.”