120 school students from six Swansea schools enjoyed a hospitality taster day at Gower College Swansea on Tuesday 14 March.

The special occasion, organised by The Chefs’ Forum and free to attend, enabled the College to host school students and give them a ‘taste’ of what to expect from a catering course.

“We call it an insight into the world of the hospitality industry,” said Chefs’ Forum Director Catherine Farinha. “We had a brilliant line up of chefs and front of house professionals and the students lapped it up!”

Former Gower College Swansea student Collette Gorvett has been named Intermediate Learner of the Year at the VQ Awards 2019.

Collette, who now works at The Ritz in London, joined Gower College Swansea in 2015 to study the Level 1 Diploma in Professional Cookery before progressing through to Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery, Kitchen and Larder.

Team UK – made up of the nation’s top young apprentices and students – has returned from the EuroSkills Finals in Budapest covered in precious medals and glory.

Among them is a former Catering and Hospitality student from Gower College Swansea.

Two Hospitality students from Gower College Swansea are set to represent Wales at the WorldSkills UK LIVE National Finals.

Paige Jones, who is on the Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision course, and Paulina Skoczek, who is studying Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery, will take part in the Restaurant Services Finals at Birmingham’s NEC in November.

Stephen Williams, Catering and Hospitality lecturer at Gower College Swansea, was guest of honour at the recent official opening of a brand new bakery in the city centre.

The Hong Kong Bakery on Brynymor Road is owned by Peter Wong, a former student at the College.

“Peter completed his catering qualifications with us and then returned as an adult learner, taking a part time Baking and Just Desserts course with me,” says Stephen. “I was delighted to be asked to cut the ribbon to officially launch his new business venture and wish him every success for the future.”

Level 3 Patisserie students at Gower College Swansea have been very busy designing, icing and decorating the annual Christmas display piece.

Over the past few years, the students – guided by Learning Area Manager and patisserie lecturer Mark Clement – have produced a variety of themed cakes including a seven foot chocolate Christmas tree and snowmen ‘chilling out’ and elaborate confections called Deck the Halls, Frozen and Starry Night.

Two Catering and Hospitality students from Gower College Swansea have earned places in the Worldskills UK Squad team, which could see them representing their country at the Worldskills World Final in Russia in 2019.

Level 3 student Collette Gorvett was recently ‘Highly Commended’ in the Restaurant Services competition at the Worldskills National Finals at Birmingham’s NEC.

Following the recent (and final) selection process, Gower College Swansea is eagerly awaiting news on whether Hospitality student Ryan Kenyon has been selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017*.

Ryan’s competition journey began in March 2014 when he represented the college in the WelshSkills Food Service competition – the following year he entered the same competition and secured a Bronze medal.

Catering students Collette Gorvett and Paige Jones represented Gower College Swansea at the SkillsCompetition Wales final at Cardiff and Vale College yesterday.

They had to a) prepare a variety of table layups b) prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails within a time frame and c) cook and present Steak Diane in the restaurant under the watchful eye of the judges.

Catering and Hospitality students from Gower College Swansea have visited Morgans Hotel in the city centre where they enjoyed a ‘behind the scenes’ tour.

“I wanted my tutor group to explore the types of career opportunities that are available within the hotel industry and to have a look around this fantastic local venue,” says lecturer Stephen Williams, who organised the trip alongside Lucy Turtle from the college’s Reaching Wider team.