HCT Training Good Enough for the Colonel!
Since completing their training at Herefordshire College of Technology, former Hospitality and Catering students Rupert Davis and Dorian Kirk have worked together in top restaurants around the world , building a reputation as chefs with both considerable flair and ambition. So, when a group of restaurateurs were looking for chefs to set up and run the kitchens at a new venture in Camden, London, the dynamic duo were at the top of their ‘wanted’ list.
The project involved the complete refurbishment of the Colonel Fawcett Pub, a former notorious tavern in Victorian times and a place with a somewhat colourful history! In 1843, Colonel Fawcett was drinking at the tavern and became involved in a bitter dispute. He received fatal gunshot wounds to the chest in what was to be the last fatal duel in Britain.
Rupert and Dorian have been involved right from the start, designing the layout of the kitchens as well as ordering all equipment, fittings and appliances and training the kitchen support staff. Keen to ensure quality as well as support small-scale producers, they have also been able to bring with them a whole host of trusted suppliers for meats and seasonal produce.
The pub which now employs 25 people, has opened to great reviews, including this one from the ‘All in London’ review website:
“It’s little wonder the kitchen delivers such good quality, as the chefs are two young chaps formerly of Café Below, an all-day eatery in the City lauded by pretty much every London food critic. The Colonel Fawcett has managed to surpass many of its rivals in just five and a half weeks, thanks to putting the emphasis on great food”.
Rupert and Dorian are committed to establishing the Colonel Fawcett as an “amazing food destination” and are quick to acknowledge the part played by HCT in preparing them for what is turning out to be a rapid rise to the top in the frenetic, high pressure world of high quality cuisine. Dorian reflects on their time spent at the College, “HCT really gave me a great platform to start my career, there is not a day that goes by that Rupert and I don't thank our 3 years on the catering course, it teaches you great timing, organisation and team work as well as a real understanding of the classic recipes that you can use and expand on in any kitchen you walk into”.
“My advice to anyone currently studying on one of the HCT catering courses – stick it out, even though it can seem tough at times, it is well worth it. You will learn an amazing amount of discipline and it will set you up for life”.
The Colonel Fawcett has a great website that allows you to view the mouth-watering menus as well as the comprehensive range of wines and speciality gins at www.thecolonelfawcett.co.uk.
To find out more about the Hospitality and Catering courses available at HCT , you can view the web pages at www.hct.ac.uk/Courses/ft_hosp.html
