New bistro service coming to Saltash

A new bistro service, open to the general public, is being launched at Cornwall College Saltash. Guests will be given the chance to enjoy a range of gastronomic delights prepared, cooked and served by students studying on Professional Cookery and Hospitality courses.  The service will be offered at the campus three times a week from next month.

Last summer the College completed work on its new training kitchen which has, for the past academic year, been training its first groups of future chefs. This year the addition of the bistro will add an extra dimension to the courses as students will be able to not only train in an industry standard setting but also have the benefit of having real customers to cook for and serve.

This will prove especially useful for those learning key front of house skills and add realism for the trainee chefs who will be preparing and cooking meals for paying customers. 

Chef Lecturer Jan Langley says: "The added realism will prepare them for industry in a way that learning the theory just can't achieve. It's also a real pleasure for us to be able to open up our fantastic kitchen and dining area to all and be able to show off the amazing skills our students have developed so far."

The Bistro will be open on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Tuesday evenings from early October.

Afternoon service focuses on a range of lunchtime specialities and light appetizers such as salads and soups as well as the more traditional afternoon cream tea and scones.

Tuesday's evening service will be an à la carte three course menu changing theme weekly and using the best of fresh sustainable, local and seasonal ingredients.   

Prices for the meals are going to be kept as low as possible and each week students will get to work together with their lecturers to finalise and tweak the week's menus.

Student Shaun Norman completed his Introduction to Professional Cookery Level 1 last year and this year has progressed onto the Level 2 qualification. He said: "I'm really looking forward to this year and I can't wait to get involved working with the team to launch and develop our bistro. I really believe it will make a huge, positive difference to us all in and out of the kitchen."

Students will be fully supervised throughout the preparation and cooking of the meals and are observed and marked on their abilities.

For more information on menus and dates and to make a booking at Cornwall College Saltash's bistro call 01752 850250 or visit the main reception at the Church Road based campus.