Work experience pays off for ncn students

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 22 July 2015

UPDATED: 22 July 2015

Trainee chefs from New College Nottingham (ncn) have been working alongside culinary master chefs like Sat Bains, Raymond Blanc and Simon Rogan over the past few weeks, and five students have been offered permanent employment.

(left to right) - Qui Yun Chen, Macauley McCarthy, Reena Dewshi, Gaynor Pokorny and Bethany Turrill

Reena Dewshi, 21, from Nuthall, completed work experience at Restaurant Sat Bains and starts as a Commis Chef there in the coming weeks. She said:

“I was so happy when I got the placement, and when I was offered the job it felt really surreal because Sat Bains is such a well-respected chef and it’s such a popular Nottingham venue."

“Other than working in the College’s training restaurant, I’ve never worked in a professional kitchen before, so it was a great experience - challenging but exciting. I learnt so much being surrounded by so many professionals and I’m looking forward to getting started in my new role.”

Macauley McCarthy, 19, from Barkstone, is working at Langar Hall following two weeks work experience. He said:

“I’m loving every second of my new job. It’s hard work but it’s everything I’ve been training for over the past few years so it’s rewarding to use my skills in such a well-known establishment. I recently became a dad so life couldn’t get much better for me at the minute.”

Gaynor Pokorny, 45, from West Bridgford, is continuing her studies at ncn on the Culinary Arts Degree course. She travelled to Oxfordshire to work at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, gaining experience from one of her culinary idols, Raymond Blanc. She said:

“I had the most amazing experience; everyone was so warm and welcoming, and willing to share their expertise without being patronising.

"What I loved most about my time there was the attention to detail preparing and plating the food, the focus on the importance of sourcing the best quality ingredients from around the world, and being able to go to their amazing gardens to pick fresh produce. I learnt so much and it reinforced all the theory classes that I had at ncn, making me realise just how much I learnt during my time at College.”

In addition, Bethany Turrill, 19, is joining Reena at Restaurant Sat Bains, Qui Yun Chen, 35, has been offered a job at Harts Hotel and Nikita Tia Vara, 18, is working for Simon Rogan at Mr. Coopers House and Gardens in Manchester.