Chefs Chris and James Tanner at launch of restaurant designed to 'equip young people for work'
The pair, who run four food businesses, including The Kentish Hare pub in Kent, joined a number of members of the industry, including former education secretary Lord Baker and Patisserie Valerie owner Luke Johnson, for the launch of the new facility which will give students hands-on experience in producing and serving food as well as how to run a business.
Praising the college's new facilities, the Tanners said it was 'vital' that students are trained well and have a greater understanding of the industry to help it grow.
"There are many career opportunities available in the sector and these are set to increase over the next few years, especially in London," they said. "Students studying here will be well equipped with the skills and aptitude needed to succeed in their future career. Bromley College is leading the way with its innovative Career College, which will benefit both the students and the hospitality industry as a whole.”
Highly-skilled workforce
At the launch last Thursday Lord Baker, founder of the Career Colleges Trust, said the idea behind the restaurant was to help ensure students were ready for work.
“BR6 provides students with the chance to understand the ins and outs of running a working restaurant – not just how to prepare the food," he said. "This combination of practical, academic and enterprise skills sum up the Career College ethos and I am very impressed with what Bromley College is doing.
“Not only will young people be equipped with the right skills to prepare them for work, but the local hospitality industry will reap the benefits of having access to a highly-skilled future workforce.”
BR6, which is open to the public, forms part of Bromley's Hospitality, Food and Enterprise Career College, one of the first of its kind in London and one of two hospitality-focused colleges in the UK.
Shift
The facility is designed to provide innovative, employer-led education for 14-19 year-olds to ensure they are equipped with the skills employers want and need.
Last week Johnson, Career Colleges chairman, said more dedicated training facilities as well as a growing 'foodie culture' in the UK was leading to a shift in attitude towards the hospitality sector with more young people selecting it as a career of choice.
