Simon Wood to join The Manchester College for virtual hospitality event

Following the launch of The Chefs’ Forum Academy at The Manchester College last year, which sees top chefs coming into the college on a weekly basis to deliver guest lectures to students in their usual working environment, the college is now running a virtual event for students.

Wood, who is a patron of the academy, is hosting a session at The Manchester College’s ‘Couch to College’ event on 15 July from 1pm to 2.30pm, with participants being shown a pre-recorded cookery demo of his steak and onion Yorkshire pudding wrap followed by an interactive Q&A session with the chef and restaurateur.

The event is designed to showcase to prospective students the courses offered at the college in professional cookery, front of house and technical patisserie and confectionery.

“I am delighted to have been asked to participate in this virtual event,” says Wood, who runs the Wood Restaurant group that includes Wood Manchester. “It just shows how the college is adapting to the ‘new normal’, while continuing to promote its fantastic facilities and courses offered at the college.

“I look forward to welcoming students back into my restaurant once restrictions are lifted and, in the meantime, I am so grateful to be able to help inspire budding young chefs and hospitality professionals to join our fantastic industry.”

The Chefs’ Forum Academy, which also operates in West London College, Gloucestershire College, Bath College, Coleg Gwent and Pembrokeshire College, was set up to bridge the gap between education and industry, inspiring young chefs and front-of-house professionals.  

“The weekly Chefs’ Forum Academy masterclasses, in normal times, involve top local chefs and front of house experts coming into the college to give a compelling and inspirational course of study throughout the academic year, culminating in work experience opportunities at the participating properties and businesses,” says Catherine Farinha, founder of The Chefs’ Forum.

“This virtual taster event with Simon will showcase the top-level chefs being invited into the college to teach the students from September onwards, whether remotely, or in person if restrictions are lifted.”

Any potential students wishing to participate in the virtual event should register via the following link. ​​