Gallery
An industrious series of workshops and guest speakers, to give students an insight into their chosen careers.
Exquisite meals cooked and served by our students in the Refined restaurant.
Thoresby Hotel and Spa saw new additions to its staffing last week as students took on roles as chefs, bartenders and maintenance personnel in an award-winning annual partnership.
A chef lecture has spent a week cooking at celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal’s Three Michelin star ‘renowned temple to innovative modern British cuisine’.
Students mastered the art of sushi making, thanks to the talents of student Monika Wawrzyniak. Students created different types of sushi including Maki, Sashimi, Nigiri and Uramaki, learning how to roll, present and garnish them professionally.
Former student chef returns to his roots for gastro evening, now providing guidance for current students.
Students’ winning drinks to appear on restaurant’s menu - Bar staff from one of the county’s most historic and prestigious hotels have been on hand to judge a cocktail-making challenge.
Students immersed themselves in the world of coffee during a hands-on visit to 200 Degrees Coffee on Nottingham’s Meadow Lane.
Lewis Kuciers, 28, graduated from the Level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma back in 2015 under the tuition of chef tutor Mark Jones. This spring he’s brought his skills and experience back to the college’s Refined restaurant to cook up a gastronomic fayre for diners.
A trainee chef has enjoyed a week of learning new skills at a Derbyshire-based, three rosette restaurant and secured a new job at The Bull’s Head in Holymoorside.
During industry week, hospitality students were cooking-under-pressure with Army chefs using ration packs, and undertaking a ready meal taste test with Matt Gabbitas from Pilgrim Food Masters.
Students mastered the art of sushi making, thanks to the talents of student Monika Wawrzyniak. Students created different types of sushi including Maki, Sashimi, Nigiri and Uramaki, learning how to roll, present and garnish them professionally.
Tasty treats were created as a result of our industry week.
The college were delighted to host Rania and Rokaya from the Maun Refuge for a taste of Syrian cuisine. Supported by our professional cookery students, this fundraising meal exposed student chefs to a great range of new ingredients.
Combat cooking is a Refined affair - Professional cookery students got a taste of combat cooking when members of the 167 Catering Support Regiment dropped by to demonstrate their skills.
More than 40 catering and hospitality students immersed themselves in real-life work experience at one of the county’s most historic and prestigious hotels. Students swapped the college’s classrooms and kitchens for Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa, near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, during a one-week ‘hotel takeover’.
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Kit list
Find out what equipment and resources you'll need before you join as a West Notts student.
Download kit list
Guided campus tour
Get a glimpse into the facilities you will be using as a hospitality and catering student at West Notts College.
What our students say
Level 2 student Lauren gives insight into the course, explaining her favourite aspects as well as giving some tips for individuals who may be interested in enrolling on the course.
Having progressed from level 2 to level 3, Kiara talks to us about her experience in the Hospitality and Catering sector. She highlights the opportunities working in our Refined restaurant has presented, as well as the guests college has hosted and her plans for the future.
Hotel Takeover
Take a look at how industrious our students were in a variety of job roles on their ‘Hotel Takeover’ at Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa.
Meet the teachers
Get to know to know a bit more about your teachers before you join us.
FAQs - hospitality and catering courses
The following information will hopefully give you a little bit more of an insight into what it will be like to be a student with us.
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Where will I study?
All of our hospitality and catering courses are based at our Derby Road campus, Mansfield, which has an on-site fine dining restaurant that is open to the public.
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What is it like?
The college is a professional, adult environment intended to prepare you to work in your chosen industry. As such, we expect students’ behaviour to reflect the world of work. Attendance and punctuality are crucial in the hospitality and catering industry so that the team can be as effective as possible. Our kitchens contain equipment and tools that can be dangerous if not used properly so very high standards of behaviour are also expected.
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What will I study?
You will study through a mixture of practical sessions and classroom learning. In kitchens and restaurants you will spend a lot of time standing. Level 1 learning is very project-based, while level 2 study has a much greater emphasis on practical skills. Level 3 learning tends to be more academic-based.
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What about English and maths?
If you start at college and you haven’t yet achieved your English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, then you will continue to study these alongside your chosen course. At the end of your first year you will take a re-sit GCSE exam. It is important you attend your English and maths lessons alongside your chosen course.
Take a look at our fact sheets to find out why English and maths is important within this industry.
View English and maths fact sheets
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What will I have to wear?
Students will be asked to wear a uniform in the restaurant, and kitchen whites and safety shoes in the kitchen. These will need to be purchased. If you are working front-of-house you will be in a customer-facing role so high levels of personal presentation will be required. Personal hygiene is our top priority – the wearing of jewellery and make-up is to be kept to a minimum, and nail polish or false nails will not be allowed. In the classroom you are able to wear whatever you like as long as it’s appropriate and isn’t offensive.
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Will I have to do a work placement?
At levels 2 and 3 students would be expected to complete a work placement. This is a great way of getting your foot in the door with an employer. Many of our students already have part-time jobs in the sector that can count towards work placement hours.
All of our students will be able to also get engaged with our learning companies, which provide in-house opportunities to gain real-world experience. This year students are providing a take-away service for college staff!
Not answered your question? Then ask your teacher
Send your questions to your teachers using our simple online form.
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