Restaurant dishes up recipe for success
As the awards for our Stars of Somerset campaign draw near we will be taking a look at the category winners each week. We start with with Food and Drink.
Somerset is a wonderful place to live, from the peaceful, quintessentially British villages through to the more cosmopolitan and fast-paced cities, what unites our different environments is the same community spirit.
In honour of the people who continue to make Somerset an incredible place to live we launched the Stars of Somerset campaign.
From the winners of a range of categories - from our sporting superstars to our tireless charity advocates - we will crown this year’s Star of Somerset.
Together with our sponsors, Shepton Mallet Treatment Centre, we pored through your nominations of the groups and individuals that contribute their time and heart into what they do to make this county such a wonderful place. This week we are delighted to present to you the winners of this year’s Food and Drink Star award: Da Vinci restaurant at Yeovil College.
For five days a week during college hours, this 70 seater restaurant serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, lunches, and afternoon teas. The kitchen and bar can also be booked for private evening functions throughout the academic year. What makes this award-winning restaurant special is that it is entirely run and staffed by the college’s hospitality students. The restaurant is run commercially and has undergone a refurbishment to double its size to house both a relaxed space to enjoy a chat and a coffee, and a formal area for a special dining experience.
The restaurant offers its guests both formal and casual dining and provides its students with a real working space in both front and back of house.
This working environment perfectly prepares these budding chefs and service staff for a future in the hospitality industry - guided by tutors to aide and support.
Paul Morey, hospitality and catering curriculum manager, said: “I am very proud of our learners and what they have achieved since the relaunch of Da Vinci.
“Their commitment and dedication has been shown not only in sales and exceptional customer feedback but also in the excellent achievement and grades our learners attain in their hospitality qualifications.”
Experienced industry experts offer first-hand advice and guidance to the Yeovil College hospitality and catering students as they produce and prepare all the essentials of a fast-paced restaurant.
In addition to the running of the restaurant, the students also work to complete their study programmes.
Da Vinci hosts a variety of themed nights throughout the year, producing top quality food and drink and providing the guests with entertainment to make a fun and atmospheric experience.
Not only do they have a top-notch events calendar, but they frequently host private events for a number of local authorities and businesses, including events for the mayor.
From humble beginnings, making an average of £50 a day, the restaurant has grown in leaps and bounds and now experiences an average footfall of 170 customers a day. The takings from last year added up to over £74,000.
Whilst developing their skills and taking the first steps on their career path the students gain confidence and learn what they can achieve and who they can be.
Oliver Weston-mann, an apprentice restaurant supervisor at the college, has grown both professionally and personally at Da Vinci.
Oliver said: “Since starting my career here at Yeovil College, I have changed so much as a person which credits the work and effort I have put in to become the best I can be and overcome all my individual challenges.
“When starting at Yeovil I struggled intensively with dyspraxia disorder which almost had me incapable of holding a plate of food without dropping it.
“I have always been a shy, introvert type person which has completely been flipped since starting my apprenticeship. I now believe in myself more than ever and I owe much of this to the outstanding support I have had around me.
“I am now a happy, outgoing and talkative person.”
■ For more information, or to book a table at Da Vinci, call the restaurant on 01935 845431 or email davinci@yeovil.ac.uk.