Parliament hosts chefs
College students in placement
Students from West Lothian College impressed when they had the chance to take over the Member’s Restaurant in the Scottish Parliament recently.
Students from Level 5, Level 6, HNC Professional Cookery and HNC Hospitality courses had the chance to take part in the special event.
They planned, delivered and served a three-course meal consisting of lightly smoked Scottish mackerel, butternut squash puree served with a selection of beets, croquette of lamb shoulder, mint and pistachio, grilled best end chop, glazed baby vegetables, pea puree and jus and ‘Peach Melba’ - blown sugar peach filled with peach and passion fruit sorbet resting on peach compote, served with a raspberry and a vanilla sauce.
The students were given the opportunity to take over the restaurant at the Scottish Parliament by head chef, Stuart Rose for one night.
This is the third time that students from West Lothian College have had this experience.
HNC professional cookery student, Alan Williamson said he enjoyed taking part.
He said: “The night at the parliament was one of the best experiences that I have had as a chef. Myself along with the team worked well under the pressure that was placed upon us to produce the best quality and looking dishes. This experience has helped me to become a better chef and widen my knowledge in the hospitality industry.”
HNC hospitality student, Louise Whitefield, said the day helped her appreciate the standards required at a high-end restaurant.
She added: “My experience working at parliament was fantastic both personally and professionally.
“I had never been inside the amazing building until then and I was not disappointed. The restaurant we were working in was expertly run and maintained by very skilled and helpful in-house staff that also made me and the rest of the team feel very welcome.
“I believe the experience has benefitted myself professionally as I got a preview of what customer service is like at a top- grade level and now know what is expected of me in order to reach the same tier in my career. As a whole, the entire experience was not only enlightening and eye-opening but also fun and a pleasure to be a part of.”
Head chef at the Scottish Parliament, Stuart Rose, praised the students. He said: “I was very impressed with the students, the way they worked and organised themselves and the food produced on the evening was of a very high standard.”
West Lothian College professional cookery lecturer, Joe Macfarlane, said he was proud of students’ efforts. He said: “The chance for the students to get out of college and work in a real working environment is always an invaluable experience.
“Being challenged helps them to develop essential core skills, having to organise the logistics of working off site allows them to build their problem solving and organisational skills. The students did a great job performing all of the tasks they were given to a high standard and did the college and themselves proud.”