HOSPITALITY AND
CATERING

Hospitality and Catering

STUDYING HOSPITALITY AND CATERING AT WESTON COLLEGE

The Hospitality and Catering industry flourishes in the South West region, with a whole host of venues to choose from. If you have a passion for creating great food and delivering high-quality customer service, our courses will feed that passion and provide you with the skills and experience to take you wherever you want to go!

You will train in our modern, stylish, commercial training kitchens and public restaurant, which will give you real-life experience of working in this exciting and fast-paced industry.

Our experienced lecturers will share their wealth of knowledge to develop your skills and support you through your studies and work experience.

Hospitality and catering is a fast-paced and exciting - take your first step with us into your journey towards becoming a chef or a head waiter/waitress at a top restaurant, or even opening your own catering business or restaurant. Through our industry links, no matter which pathway you choose you’ll have access to some great industry experts and guest sessions.

Job roles in the West of England currently include:

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We've bundled the best education in the area with career boosted benefits - and are leveraging our contacts as one of the largest Colleges in the country to give you the best possible chance of success.

Through our industry links, no matter which pathway you choose you’ll have access to some great industry experts and guest sessions.

Our programmes are endorsed by:

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Apprenticeships
T-Levels

Level 1

Professional Cookery and Barista, Pre-Technical Certificate

Duration: 1 Year

Start Date: Sep 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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If you have a passion for food and cooking, this certificate is a perfect introduction to the industry. The course equips you with a strong foundation in the skills and techniques you need, along with an understanding of how a professional kitchen works. Through practical training and theoretical knowledge, you will develop the expertise neede...

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Level 2

Commis Chef, Apprenticeship

Duration: 13 Months

Start Date: Aug 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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This apprenticeship offers you a unique opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, produce high-quality dishes, and gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Commis chefs work in many settings, including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and cruise ships. Their role is to support the other chefs by preparing, cooking, ...

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Level 2

Professional Chef, Vocational Technical Diploma

Duration: 1 Year

Start Date: Sep 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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This programme is perfect if you are an aspiring chef, looking to take your culinary abilities to the next level. The course is specifically designed for chefs who are eager to enhance their skills and advance in their career. Through this programme, you'll have the opportunity to refine your techniques, expand your knowledge, and excel in the...

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Level 2

Professional Hospitality Team Member, Apprenticeship

Duration: 13 Months

Start Date: Aug 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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As a hospitality team member apprentice, you are stepping into an exciting and dynamic industry that revolves around delivering exceptional guest experiences. This apprenticeship provides you with a unique opportunity to become an integral part of a dedicated team, learning the ins and outs of various departments within hotels, resorts, or res...

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Level 3

Professional Cookery, Advanced Technical Diploma

Duration: 1 Year

Start Date: Sep 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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This Level 3 Professional Cookery programme will further assist you in developing skills that will be carried with you during your career at the top of the catering industry. You will be cooking complex dishes in demanding and fast paced kitchens, to help you perform your best even when under pressure. Teamwork and effective communication skil...

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You can progress onto degrees and higher apprenticeships with UCW...
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THE FACILITIES

All of the hospitality and catering courses are based in the Grove, our kitchen and restaurant at the Knightstone Campus, which includes:

State-of-the-art training kitchen, giving you a real industry experience
Commercial cafe and restaurant, serving hot and cold drinks, breakfast, lunch and three-course dinners to staff, students and the public - ensuring you get real-life front of house experience
The opportunity to take part in monthly masterclasses which are opportunities to meet and learn from Michelin star chefs, artisans including bakers, butchers and fishmongers, plus trips to growers where you can learn from some of the South West’s most exciting food producers.

Dan Flannagan

Liberation Group (Butcombe)

"Weston College has a superb set up and our partnership will provide a huge benefit for us as a business to develop future talent....

But also for learners to gain vital experience and develop the skills needed for industry."

Why study Hospitality and Catering with Weston College?

Across the UK the hospitality sector is growing. The demand for skilled hospitality and catering professionals is high, and a qualification in this subject area could lead you to a successful career in the industry.

The jobs available are very diverse. You could find yourself working in a commercial kitchen, a restaurant, a hotel, at an event venue, or one of the many thousands of other roles within the sector.

You'll have clear progression opportunities. The hospitality and catering industry has plenty of progression opportunities. You can start at Level 1 and work your way up, opening up more opportunities and accessing the highest-paid jobs.

Our courses are different. Through our industry links, no matter which pathway you choose you'll have access to some great industry experts and guest sessions.

Why Become a Chef?

Find out more about training programme nurturing the catering and hospitality professionals of the future.

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OUR HOSPITALITY VIDEOS

Meet our team

Sandra Bull

Director of Faculty Service Sectors

Debbie Palmer

Chef Lecturer

Pete Goodship

Curriculum Co-ordinator

Grant Spencer

Chef Lecturer

Our partners

Occupations related to Hospitality and Catering

Hotel or Accommodation Manager/Proprietor

Job holders in this unit group plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of hotels, hostels, lodging homes, holiday camps, holiday flats and chalets, and organise the domestic, catering, and entertainment facilities on passenger ships.

Average annual earnings: £21,198
Employment in region: 677 positions

Restaurant or Catering Establishment Manager/Proprietor

Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors plan, direct and co-ordinate the catering services of restaurants, hotels and large-scale catering services within other organisations.

Average annual earnings: £22,062
Employment in region: 3,667 positions

Publican or Manager of Licensed Premises

Publicans and managers of licensed premises organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of public houses (non-residential and residential) and bar and catering facilities at non-residential clubs.

Average annual earnings: £24,443
Employment in region: 1,908 positions

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LATEST NEWS

16 Feb 2022

T Level Hospitality and Catering Students given the skills to become a chef in the army!

Students from the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Level 2 Professional Chef T Level Transition Programme</a> had the amazing opportunity of hosting a guest lecture from Chefs in The Army!

During the lecture students were shown what it is like to be a Chef within The Army and how they can get involved. After being split into teams, learners were then poised with the challenge of making a 3-course meal for 2 people out of ration packs! They were given 10 minutes to menu plan and a further 1 hour 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

The learners produced innovative and amazing meals such as broccoli and onion soup, mince beef and onion pie with mash potato, cookie bread and butter pudding and homemade garlic gnocchi!

Teams were then judged by the Seargent's and were scored on Best Starter, Best Main Meal, Best Dessert, and an Overall Winner.

Team 3 won Best Starter with their broccoli mac and cheese with garlic bread, Team 2 won Best Main Course with the homemade pasta and meatballs and Team 1 won Best Dessert with their cookie bread and butter pudding. But the overall winner of the challenge for their performance, communication skills, teamwork and presentation were Team 2!

Learner Crystal, comments “It was really fun, but at the same time hard because you only had 1 hour and 30 mins for a three-course meal! I found it very challenging, but I really enjoyed the whole event!”

Hospitality and Catering lecturer Debbie says,  “I am so proud of the group here today they did extremely well and were amazing. They did the me and the college proud today even the Army Sergeants said we should be proud of all the students today."

As a part of the Hospitality and Catering <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Career Excellence Hub,</a> learners are given the opportunity to gain employability skills from employers and gain real life skills that they can take on into their careers. Within the new T Level course, students can learn about the catering and hospitality industry, food, and safety hygiene in the kitchen, menu planning and costing and preparing all different foods. Alongside the course students will gain a full understanding of the industry by completing a Level 2 food and beverage service during their Individual Development (ID) time.

Sandra Bull, Divisional Lead of Hospitality and Catering, says “Ensuring our learners have an opportunity to seek out a variety of career pathways is important as they developed both skills and confidence in their programme of study. This session was a challenge which demonstrated how they would need to adapt quickly for a career in the Army but resilience in a working environment. The group have discovered you can eat well even out of ration pack ingredients!”

<ul>
<li paraeid="{be9c8cb5-4bb3-4b1f-9899-72496bb9585f}{93}" paraid="1488067747"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… ">Find out more and apply </a><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… ">now for the Chef T Level Transition Programme</a>.</li>
<li paraeid="{be9c8cb5-4bb3-4b1f-9899-72496bb9585f}{93}" paraid="1488067747"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/84501_Weston%20Col… out the Hospitality and Catering Career Excellence Hub</a>.</li>
<li paraeid="{be9c8cb5-4bb3-4b1f-9899-72496bb9585f}{93}" paraid="1488067747"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… out more about other Hospitality and Catering Courses.</a></li>
<li paraeid="{be9c8cb5-4bb3-4b1f-9899-72496bb9585f}{93}" paraid="1488067747"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… T Levels</a>.</li>
</ul>

T Level Hospitality And Catering Students Given The Skills To Become A Chef In The Army

18 Jan 2022

sustainable burger vegan in weston super mare how to become a chef

With dining out being an important part of our culture, how can the catering sector join the debate and put sustainability on the menu?

Endorsed by employers, the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Hospitality and Catering Careers Excellence Hub</a> encourages collaboration between the college and companies. This ensures that classroom content is relevant and students will be "job ready" when they go into the industry. A growing part of the industry at the moment is sustainability and where we get our food from. We caught up with Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… Beauty and Barbering</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years Education</a> and Counselling, to talk all about sustainability in the catering sector...

Food is wasted at each step of the supply chain. It remains unpicked if it is ‘ugly’, it perishes over long distances, it is ‘trimmed’ for aesthetics and it is left on the plate of not-so-hungry customers.

Chefs have the ability to intercept at each of these junctures. They can champion crooked carrots, source local food in season, use peelings for stocks and offer different portion sizes. Additionally, when waste remains, they can donate surplus to food waste charities. So here at Weston College and in the Grove training kitchen and restaurant we are embracing this concept...

Let me introduce our sustainable menu for takeaway next Thursday. All produce is locally produced (meaning less mileage), ingredients are in season now   and we  waste less. The Hospitality learners are learning about plastic waste and the food journey from Farm to fork.

Takeaway  Thursday 27th January . Please call 411422 to book yours ! ?

We hope you enjoy

Fish and chips

£2.50 main £3.50 main & a dessert £4.00 meal deal drink main & dessert

Please inform us of any food allergies or special dietary requirements upon ordering and we will be happy to advise you.

Do you ever wonder why some supermarket food is just so cheap? You may not pay for it at the cash register, but the cost to your health, the soil, and the environment are there.

Sustainable eating is not easy.

We are finding out more about where our suppliers get the food they deliver. What is its journey, is it in season and can we convince the supplier to cut down on single use plastic?

This time of year, root vegetables and hearty greens are great for adding to curries and stews. Salads, Tomatoes, and fruit in the summer make colourful additions to your plate. Of course, milk and dairy produced are here all year around.

Freezing, dehydrating, and preserving in pickles can help to add favour and use in season stock. But we are going to have a go at Growing our own window boxes this term so we can provide all the herbs for our café and restaurant. Watch this space!

Initiatives like this are Weston College is committed to creating brighter and greener futures

When you don’t know your farmer because you’re buying from a supermarket then look for the words “Fair-Trade” or the RED tractor on your packaging.

This may be the hardest part of changing the way you eat. On the other hand, it forces you to simplify your food in a way that promotes health and flavour. The simple truth is sustainable food does not outsource its preparation.

Without basic cooking knowledge, none of this is possible so look out for our short basic cooking courses to give you confidence in the kitchen. Learning to cook your favourite foods using local ingredients can really make all the difference.

Eating mindfully may take a bit more effort but the rewards, for your family and their future, are too big to pass up.

Click to find out more about:

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/84501_Weston%20Col… and Catering Career Excellence Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering courses</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hubs</a></li>
</ul>

Students Serve Sustainability on the Menu

18 Dec 2021

The Hospitality industry has always been dynamic and exciting to work in, and with restrictions lifting and everyone resuming life as normal, restaurants and hotels are hiring more staff than ever! This industry is worth over £59 billion in the UK alone!

The Hospitality Career Excellence Hub prepares learners for the world of employment and for a life in their chosen industry. Students will take away absolutely loads of skills required to work in Hospitality all of which can be put on a CV to impress future employers.

It focusses on work experience which is a fantastic way to gain knowledge of an industry and how it works while learning skills that can be applied to College at the same time.

Hospitality learners will learn in Weston College’s state-of-the-art training kitchen called The Grove. This kitchen is fully equipped with all of the facilities that will be used in industry. The Grove also features a spacious dining room and a bar, offering students a chance to learn about setting and waiting tables.

Learners have a monthly masterclass from top chefs from the local area. These classes teach a wide range of skills and disciplines including butchery, sausage making and working with seafood. Chefs who have provided masterclasses in the past include Martin Felstead, from Greenway Farm and Mark Chapman - the Executive Chef from Gambas Tapas Bar, Bristol.

Dan Flannagan from the Liberation Group said “We are proud of our Somerset roots and having grown our business in this area, a relationship with Weston College seemed a natural step. Weston has a superb set up and our partnership will provide a huge benefit for us as a business to develop future talent, but also for learners to gain vital experience and develop the skills needed for industry.”

For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our awesome Hospitality Career Excellence Hub, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… here</a>.

Cooking Up an Amazing Career in Hospitality

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