Globally-renowned restaurant El Celler de Can Roca has announced a partnership with the Westminster Kingsway College catering school to help with its’ pop-up at London’s Cafe Royal.
Our Photographer & Chef Content Exec Majella O’Connell with Joan and Jordi RocaTen students from Westminster Kingsway College will work with the owners of El Celler de Can Roca, the celebrated Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi. The students will be working across four nights at the pop-up in the Café Royal’s Domino Room. Two of the students will then be offered a four-month internship at El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which has frequently topped ‘World’s Best Restaurants’ lists, as part of the restaurant’s partnership with global bank BBVA.
Westminster Kingsway College students will be working as part of a team of 35 from El Celler, serving an 18 course dinner for 60 guests each night, influenced by local cuisine. Alongside the students, Joan will be assisted by his younger brother, award-winning pastry chef Jordi, while wines will be chosen by brother Josep.
The brothers also provided a cookery masterclass at the College for students and media and we were delighted to attend.
Every summer The Brothers close the restaurant for 5 weeks and take all the team on a tour looking for inspiration and influence. Last year it was Asia. This year is London and San Francisco amongst others. So we caught up with them in London at their cookery masterclass at Westminster Kingsway College.
It’s not every day that you get to witness chefs regarded by many to be the best in the world but we did.
Describing their work the brothers used words to paint a picture of their approach to cooking and here are some: memory – tradition – landscape – sweet – poetry – freedom – boldness – magic – humour – innovation – perfume. Jordi them emphasised to all, “humour is a very big part of the method as it is important to enjoy yourself, doing what you love”. The passion on display from the Roca brothers is contagious and we mopped it all up.
What an opportunity for the students who find themselves working alongside the team from El Celler de Can Roca, soak up and savour every moment of it.
Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and JordiThe morning was a real joy in every sense of the word and we would like to thank our hosts Westminster Kingsway College, it was a privilege.