College welcomes French visitors

The College recently helped a group of visitors from across the Channel to improve their knowledge of the UK hospitality industry.

The 14 students and two lecturers from Marseille Hotel School in France stopped with College students and staff for a week while they took part in a variety of activities and visits.

On Monday, the group went to Simpson's restaurant and M and J Fish Wholesalers in Birmingham, where they were shown different filleting techniques. That was followed on Tuesday by a visit to Melton Mowbray, where they saw traditional pork pies and Stilton cheese being produced.

The rest of the week was spent at the College, where they helped to prepare meals in The Brasserie and The Atrium on Wednesday and Thursday, before cooking their own lunch in the College kitchen on Friday.

Food service lecturer Mandy Shorthouse said: "We've enjoyed having the students from France here, and they've all enjoyed their time with us.

"And they've not just been working – last Sunday, when they arrived they went bowling, then we went for a Chinese meal together last night."

This is the third year the College has welcomed visitors from Marseille, and in return a group of Birmingham students will head to France next month where they will spend a week in College before taking part in work placements for two weeks.