Loughborough College students joined one of the culinary industry’s leading names to help make its Radmoor Restaurant guest chef takeover a sell out success.
Mark Fletcher, Executive Head Chef of The Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Cheshire, shared his more than two decades’ experience at Michelin starred restaurants and some of the UK’s top hotels with hospitality and catering students as they worked alongside him to create and serve his five course taster menu at the College’s award-winning commercial restaurant.
“Sixteen of our students were in the kitchen and front of house and every one of them was able to really get involved. Mark has an impressive track record but was incredibly down to earth. He showed the students what to do and was supportive but stepped back to let them get on with it.” said chef lecturer and hospitality and catering lead at Loughborough College, Darren Creed.
“We had a full restaurant and the diners were incredibly impressed – they said the food, the whole evening, was superb. It was a fantastic experience for our students and we’re extremely grateful to Mark.
“He was our final guest in an academic year which has seen us host five chef takeovers at Loughborough College – more than ever before. These are fantastic opportunities for our students and for us to share the great work we are doing at the College not only with the industry but also with others in education.”
Mark Fletcher said: “It was a real privilege and an honour to be asked back to Loughborough College to feature once again as a guest chef. It's great to work alongside and guide the students to deliver my personal food philosophy and their passion and love of cookery is a joy to witness.
“What Darren has created within the students is the pride and the passion required for the future of the industry. The College is a great place to come and cook, to be a guest chef, and to impart and back up Darren's teachings as well as enable the students to prepare, cook and serve. The night itself was amazing. The students had never seen or cooked and plated this food before but they delivered each course with brilliance to a live restaurant. It was a real pleasure to oversee them. They are a credit to the College and our industry.”
Pictured: Loughborough College students join guest chef Mark Fletcher (third from left) for a sell-out event at the Radmoor Restaurant