South Downs College wins College Restaurant of the Year 2009
Students and staff from the hospitality division at South Downs College celebrated last night after their college restaurant was voted College Restaurant of the Year 2009.
The college, which hosted a charity banquet for the Ark Foundation last month, was declared regional winner for the south and overall winner of the competition at the awards ceremony at the Delfina Gallery in London yesterday.
Restaurant magazine editor Paul Wootton, said the food and service at South Down College`s restaurant rivaled that of many established restaurants. "It was superb food and drink offered with skilful service in a restaurant with wonderful ambience," he said.
Gerry Shurman, head of catering, hospitality and travel, said he was `over the moon` with the award.
He said: "This is the third year we`ve entered the competition and each year have taken on board the feedback given, so it`s great that we`ve got things right. Our students work so hard and I`m so proud of them and the staff."
Also awarded on the night was Margaret White of The Manchester College, who received a special award for Most Inspiring Tutor. The award was created this year especially to recognise her achievements in giving the best possible learning experience to her students.
Regional winners were Thames Valley University (London), South Downs College (The South), Northampton College (Wales, Mid England and East Anglia), The Manchester College (The North) and Perth College (Northern Ireland and Scotland).
Steve Munkley of the Craft Guild of Chefs, initial judge of the competition, now in its sixth year, said the standard of entries was `as good as ever`. He sifted through more than 100 paper entries before whittling them down to three regional finalists.
As overall winner, South Downs College wins an all-expenses paid 10 day trip to understand the history and provenance behind the products of the wines from Burgundy, the hams from Parma, the cheese from Emilia Romagna and the wines from Porto and Douro Valley, courtesy of the competition`s supporter Discover the Origin.
View and photos from the event here
photos by Rob Lawson
