Come dine with us! Students happy to make a meal out of dishing up sumptuous food for guests

Budding chefs and hospitality students at Chichester College have been praised after cooking up a treat for satisfied guests at an exclusive dining experience.

Catering and hospitality students hosted a special pop-up dining evening at the college’s 64 restaurant and bar and, much like the food, it went down really well.

Guided by a team of experts from the Sussex Pub Company, the students prepared and served a four-course meal using local Sussex produce to around 60 guests, including Chichester MP Gillian Keegan and Mayor of Chichester Peter Evans (at this point we are bound to ask why, ahem, a representative from the Chichester News wasn’t invited? – a salivating Ed).

Charlotte Harding was one of the students working in the kitchen. She said: “It was a massive learning curve for me. We’re really grateful to Oz and the chefs – they taught us so much and I really enjoyed it. It was exhilarating and an amazing experience!”

The intricate courses included a show-stopping trio of desserts, featuring honey parfait, vanilla brûlée and chocolate mousse.

All of the produce used for the meal was donated by local suppliers, including Tinwood Estate.

Nick Sutherland, of the Sussex Pub Company, said: “I was thrilled to be part of this event in bridging the link between the employers, suppliers and students for a fantastic evening showcasing Sussex Food and Drink.”

Peter Evans, Mayor of Chichester, was among the invited guests. He added: “It was absolutely outstanding. The quality of the meal, level of service and attention to detail was extremely impressive and we were honoured to be able to enjoy such a lovely evening at the college.

“It was also fantastic to see the event so well supported by local businesses, serving local produce.”

The pop-up evening, on November 2, is the first of several to be held at the college, with the aim to give students the opportunity to learn different styles and techniques – as well as build their own links with the industry to help develop their careers.

Shelagh Legrave OBE, chief executive officer for Chichester College Group, was one of the invited guests. She added: “We were treated to a fantastic meal, which really showcased the talents of our students.

“They worked incredibly hard and I’m sure they learnt a lot from the visiting chefs and managers from the Sussex Pub Company.

“We are very lucky to be able to offer our students opportunities like these, which see them gaining valuable experience from industry experts.

“It not only enriches the education they are receiving here at Chichester, but also gives them an insight into the world they intend to work in.”