Ayrshire College
Training the Next Generation in Hospitality
Catherine Lawson
Your local college might not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re looking for somewhere to eat, but here in Ayrshire we’re lucky to have access to two purpose-built, fully licenced training restaurants where industry and education combine. On the Ayr campus, with panoramic views over the river, you’ll find Westerly Restaurant and on the Kilmarnock campus, right in the heart of the town, you’ll find Salt and Barrel. Both restaurants are open to the public, giving hospitality students the opportunity to train in a real-world environment where they can master front of house skills and hone their craft in the kitchen while serving the local community.
The benefits are numerous, both for the students and the workplaces receiving them when they graduate. Across both restaurants students have access to a range of courses at levels which allow for progression and skill diversification. Level 4 courses, which are often the starting point for school leavers or pupils with a split school/college placement, allow students to begin their training with a basic introduction to professional cookery, bakery and hospitality. From there, they can advance their professional cookery training through levels 5 and 6 or focus on hospitality beyond the kitchen, specialising in everything from barista skills to event planning. At the core of all courses, however, is the development of those essential skills which are highly valued in the workplace: communication and interpersonal skills, confidence, teamwork and resilience.
Ensuring students are ‘industry ready’ is the priority for both training establishments. College staff work closely with industry professionals, who are regularly invited to visit the training restaurants and engage with students – a collaboration that helps align training with industry needs, in turn supporting the development of a successful circular economy. Working in partnership with the hospitality community is at the core of the training ethos as the college shapes the next generation of professionals heading out to cafés, restaurants and hotels across the region.
Equally important is the support shown from the local community, which comes in many forms. South Ayrshire Council Headteachers, for example, meet in the function space (available for hire) at Westerly Restaurant three times a year, where they enjoy the full conference package catered for by the youngest group of trainees in the college. Such events allow students to bring together their learning from the classroom, kitchen and front of house to deliver a professional service as they would in the real world. And when the restaurant is open to the public, anyone can book a table and go in to enjoy a menu prepared by students across different levels who deliver food that is shaped not just by the course criteria, but also by market trends.
In Westerly Restaurant, menus focus on small plates that use locally sourced produce. This gives students an opportunity to develop skills based around different ingredients, techniques and global influences in a dining style which is increasingly popular. Themed afternoon teas, such as their most recent ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, also allow them to showcase their skills in a different context, producing tiered treats which are served with a touch of class. Such events are always very well received by customers who appreciate the sense of occasion.
At Salt and Barrel diners can enjoy everything from a leisurely weekday lunch to a Thursday evening three course meal served with a bottle of wine for just £20; not surprisingly, booking is highly recommended. The menus feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, explore different cuisines and change weekly, again giving students the opportunity to master a wide range of dishes as their skills and confidence develop. A typical menu might feature sole meunière, beetroot and whipped goat’s cheese salad, and iced strawberry parfait – dishes that could comfortably be served in any fine-dining restaurant.
Both restaurants open their doors to the public at the start of October once students have settled into their new courses and training is underway. Staff are keen to encourage locals to keep an eye on the college *Facebook pages for details of upcoming menus and events, such as the highly anticipated full Christmas menu which runs throughout December. Those who have yet to discover these hidden gems in the community are warmly invited by staff and students to make a booking so they can sample the quality of the food and the professional service on offer. Aside from some delicious eats at competitive prices, dining in the training restaurants is an invaluable opportunity to be part of the education system supporting students as they prepare for the wider world of work.
*Facebook: @westerlyrestaurant
and @saltandbarrel
