Skills Olympics Gold For Silver Service Stars

Two Tamworth catering students have beaten off stiff competition to win gold in a national Skills Olympics.

Competing in the Food Service category of the event held at Derby University, 17 years old Joe Cuffe of Clifton Campville and 16 years old Adam Godfrey of Burntwood stormed to victory against seven other college teams as they prepared a restaurant table and served a meal for four in impeccable silver service style.

Their tutors at Tamworth & Lichfield College have congratulated them on the win, putting the secret of their success down to a combination of enthusiasm, hard work and an appreciation of quality customer service.

Course leader Lynda McKenzie said, “They did absolutely brilliantly and certainly deserved their award. We are delighted at how well they kept their nerve on the day, setting up and boxing a table, and then serving a soup, main course, dessert and coffee to the judges and guests. Silver service is a very precise technique of serving food and they carried it off with great care and style.”

The students received an engraved plate, certificate, wine book and vouchers worth £50 to go towards catering items from Russums. Joe said, “It was quite a challenge but we soon got our confidence and then we really enjoyed it. I think we did well because we worked hard and because we learn on our course how important it is to provide a good customer experience.”

Both students are undertaking NVQs in Food Service which involve carrying out work experience in hotels and restaurants around the country. Joe added, “Last year I went to work at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay and they have since offered me a job. I think the college has really helped me to develop my skills and now I’m looking forward to my career and to moving into catering management as soon as I can.”