Celebrity chef cooks up a storm
Leading chef Mark Lloyd visited Waltham Toll Bar Academy to launch a pop-up restaurant challenge for Year 10 students.
L-R: Lily Cross (14), Zac Weed (14), Bradley Freudenberg (14), Megan Spencer (14), Mark Lloyd & Lola Carpenter (15).
The Hospitality and Catering students have six weeks to plan, prepare, cook and serve a 3-course sit down meal to at least 100 guests.
At the end of the evening, each will put an amount of money into an envelope they think the meal is worth.
Profits will go towards St Andrew’s Hospice.
The students will need to fundraise for the event, source their ingredients, tableware and centrepieces and organise raffle prizes to ensure the most profit is made on the night.
Mark Lloyd, renowned for his British wild food knowledge and farm-to-fork ethos, said: “It teaches them about all of the aspects of catering and cooking and being involved in the industry. It shows them what routes are available.
It’s more than just a cooking and waitressing event, it’s teaching them about business. The project involves them finding their own customers and inviting those that they think will be supportive and get the community involved.
In the past we’ve had stars like Rio Ferdinand and Dizzee Rascal attending these events! If the students think they can get them here, go for it!”
Mark spoke to the students about his own experiences and explained the differences between chefs and working styles in kitchens and restaurants.
His inspiring speech helped the students’ enthusiasm for the project, with many saying they’d like to go into the industry and become chefs or restaurant owners.
Mark added: “This is your chance to cook things that you would never be given the opportunity to have a go at in your school kitchens.
“The whole project is about quality assurance and about making a profit for your chosen cause.
“You are going to have to think outside the box and work as a team, but it’s going to be great.”
Lily Cross said: “I think this is going to be a really good opportunity.
“The experience that we will get from it and the way that the whole event will help us build our confidence is great.
“I think hosting things like this can really help students find their passion in life. I really want to work in the kitchens on this project and I’m excited to get started.”
Megan Spencer also commented: “I would like to work within the Front of House team on this project.
“There are so many roles to play for us and I think it’s going to be really exciting. It’s great to have someone like Mark working with us. I think it will really help people to realise the paths they want to take.”
Teacher Bernadette Morgan thanked Mark for the visit and talk.
“He was inspirational and has set an incredibly exciting challenge for our students,” Mrs Morgan said. “It will involve a huge amount of work but I think this group has the enthusiasm and talent to make a success of it."
Waltham Toll Bar Academy Principal Nigel Whittle was excited about the project.
“It will give our students an insight into the world of work and help them with career choices,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to sitting down and enjoying their food, along with the other guests.
“I wish them the best of luck as they undertake this enormous challenge.”
The pop-up restaurant will be on Saturday 25th March 2023 at Waltham Toll Bar Academy with the students taking over the Music Hall and school canteen for the day to cook and serve for a meal in the evening.
If you would like to contribute by donation or sponsorship, please contact the school. The students would be greatly appreciative of donations, raffle prizes, uniforms for the evening, decorations for the hall and centrepieces to decorate the dining tables.
To donate, please visit Waltham Toll Bar Academy is fundraising for St Andrew's Hospice (justgiving.com)
If you would like to book tickets for the event, please contact the school via email at enquiries@tollbaracademy.co.uk.
