Catering Students in overseas visit

A group of catering students from the College have been learning more about how the industry works in France, by taking part in an exchange visit to Marseille.

The ten second-year chef students and two bakery students spent one week at Marseille Hotel School, working with the lecturers there, while they were also taken on visits to a candid fruit factory, a traditional sweet manufacturer, a vineyard and the local fish market.

They then spent two weeks on work placements in the area at venues including a five-star hotel and a fine dining restaurant.

The trip was arranged after 14 students from France visited Birmingham last month, and took part in a variety of activities and visits in the city, as well as working in our restaurants.

Food service lecturer Mandy Shorthouse said: "The students all enjoyed spending time out there, and it was a great experience for them to see the very different ways of working in France - particularly how dining is done at a slower pace and is more of a social event than in the UK.

"They also had the chance to see some of the sights out there, and they mixed well with the French students, also socialising with them outside of college."

The visit was the second time our students had visited the college in Marseille, and another visit is planned for next year.