At Angel Hill Food Co., we’re passionate about supporting young people into the workplace and introducing them to exciting career paths within the facilities management and catering industry. As part of this commitment, our team in the Education Sector at North Shropshire College recently hosted two first-year catering students, Zoe and Gabby, for a hands-on work experience placement.
Real-World Catering Skills
Over two days at the Walford Campus, Zoe and Gabby gained practical experience across all aspects of catering operations. Their activities included stock and delivery management, food and menu preparation, counter service, health and safety management, and kitchen operations.
The students also shadowed Estate Chef Manager, Francesca Gilmore, learning essential back-of-house skills such as income administration, product ordering, and menu planning.
Francesca emphasised the value of the experience:
This two-day placement gave both students a clear insight into a typical day in the further education catering sector. It showcased an alternative catering career path and could be a stepping stone toward an apprenticeship or a long-term role in our industry.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Chefs
For Zoe and Gabby, the placement was both educational and motivating:
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Zoe: “The placement was very welcoming, and I received outstanding support and guidance. I took on a variety of tasks and improved my communication skills, which boosted my confidence.”
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Gabby: “I loved it! This experience confirmed my passion for catering as a career. I enjoyed the variety of tasks and working with such a friendly and supportive team.”
Building Careers in Catering and Facilities Management
We believe in nurturing future talent by giving young people the opportunity to explore fulfilling careers through work experience and apprenticeships. By doing so, we help to shape the workforce of the future and strengthen the catering industry.
If you’re interested in offering or taking part in work experience programmes, get in touch to learn how OCS and Angel Hill Food Co. are developing the next generation of catering professionals.
