The skills of Orkney College UHI graduates were demonstrated on Wednesday, 24th of April with an event at Kirkwall Grammar School. The event was to  showcase what can be gained by studying in hospitality and professional cookery.

The practical demonstrations allowed KGS students to see what skills can be acquired, to enjoy tasting the results and to ask questions.

The flexibility of the course system at Orkney College is reflected in the stories of its graduates.

Gary Sutherland who is currently the Head Chef at Archive Coffee left school at 16 to do an SVQ 2 in Professional Cookery. Learning his trade at several restaurants in Orkney he could study at Orkney College at the same time.

Gary said:

“I spent 5 years learning the trade at Helgis alongside doing a further SVQ3 and HNC in Professional Cookery.”

Gary is now involved with the setting up a second new business, The Black Dog,

“which is a completely new concept of food for the islands and will be opening its doors this summer.”

Kit Bichan, Front of house Manager at Archive Coffee studied Tourism and Hospitality.

Kit said:

“I came back to Orkney to finish my Degree in Tourism and Hospitality at Orkney College through the University of the Highlands and Islands. I gained a first class Degree at Honours Level.”

Ingrid Groat, Chef Instructor and Lecturer learned her love of making food from helping her granny in the home.

“I came to Orkney College UHI to do an SVQ Level 5 in Professional Cookery”.

Ingrid did this whilst working at The Shore, Kirkwall.

“I love seeing passion in young chefs as well as inspiring them to work with Orkney produce.”

For Lecturer in Hospitality, Daniel Laud , he first started at age 15 studying for an NC in Hospitality at Orkney College whilst working at the Merkister Hotel. After travelling abroad and studying in Glasgow Daniel eventually returned to Orkney.

“Then the opportunity arose to come back to Orkney and share those experiences with a future generation, back to the place where it all started – Orkney College UHI.”

And keeping the successful lunchtime event running was Curriculum Leader Anne Hill who has done so much to develop the excellent courses and the team to deliver them.

If you would like to find out more visit: Orkney College UHI Courses

Reporter: Fiona Grahame