The culinary exchange has resulted in Valentin Girard-Pouech and Ilian Jacquot working at St John’s College for the past month, carrying out a range of tasks in the kitchen and dining rooms.
Both are students at the Ecole Hoteliere de Grenoble, which is a prestigious International Hospitality Management School recognised throughout the hospitality industry for its high standards.
Bill Brogan, Catering & Conference Manager said: “This is the first time we have organised a culinary exchange and it has been very successful. Both Valentin and Illian have an outstanding range of skills and a very positive attitude to the tasks they have carried out here which has been recognised by the people who have supervised them including John O’Sullivan, Fellows’ Butler and Franco Elia, Functions Manager.
“In addition to working in the kitchens here, they have also assisted front of house at such functions as College Open Days, a Donors’ Dinner, Fellows’ lunches and dinners and serving breakfast to our conference and B&B guests.
“Not only have they had the opportunity to showcase their skills in a different environment, the visit has had a very positive effect on our own in-house team and there has been a mutual sharing of best practice and ideas. We are planning to make this an annual event as part of our commitment to training our staff and achieving the highest possible standards.”
St John’s College has an international reputation for fine dining backed by numerous catering awards over the years. The Catering & Conferences team recently won Two Stars in the Sustainable Restaurants Association Awards for its efforts to source food more sustainably, to engage with its local community and its commitment to environmental good practice.
The College offers unique rooms for private functions of all sizes including: The Hall which can seat up to 300, The Wordsworth Room up to 50, The Parsons Room for an intimate dinner for up to 16 and the Old Music Room for drinks receptions and buffets for up to 60.
Ecole Hoteliere de Grenoble, an International Hospitality Management School, trains 400 students each year in catering and front of house skills. It celebrates its centenary in 2017.
Image: Culinary exchange, left to right: Valentin Girard-Pouech and Ilian Jacquot, students from Ecole Hoteliere de Grenoble with Bill Brogan, Catering & Conference Manager at St John’s College.
July 2015
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Further press information from: Lesley Crosland at Crosland Communications on 01638 662188 Email: info@croslandcomms.co.uk
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