From Real-World Training to Industry Recognition — A Year of Growth, Achievement, and Culinary Excellence
Borders College’s Hospitality and Catering department – made up of enthusiastic students and dedicated staff – would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all their valued customers who have supported them throughout the past academic year. Your continued patronage, whether through booking lunches or attending evening dining events at the Scottish Borders Campus restaurant, has been instrumental in providing our students with hands-on experience in a real-world hospitality environment.
Since the restaurant officially opened its doors again last October, our talented learners have successfully prepared and served over 800 main meals and, showcasing their growing skills and passion for the culinary arts and hospitality industry. It has been a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences for everyone involved.
However, as with all great things, this chapter must come to a close — if only temporarily. As the academic year draws to an end, many of our students are preparing to take the next exciting steps in their careers. Some will be entering the workforce within the hospitality sector, while others plan to return to Borders College to further develop their expertise and qualifications.
Throughout the year, our current and former students have continued to make headlines, demonstrating excellence and making their mark on the industry. Here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights:
Our Coffee bar opened its doors as we launched our Barista skills unit, integrating Meta Glasses to complete observations
- Culinary Spotlight: Borders College welcomed back accomplished alumni for an inspiring live cooking demonstration, offering current students invaluable insights into professional kitchen life.
Supplier and field-to-fork visits: Our students had some amazing experiences visiting Wilson's Farm outside Kelso, learning how to cook with seasonal products, and also attending a chocolate-making workshop at Cocoa Black. The students also had a rare opportunity to gain knowledge on the roasting process of coffee beans and enjoy a fascinating cupping experience with Three Hills Coffee.
Master Chefs of Great Britain: The students attended two Master Chefs of Great Britain cooking demonstrations and experienced a Michelin-starred culinary experience featuring fine dining, seasonal, locally sourced products, and beautifully presented dishes.
- Hands-On Experience: Our Level 6 students completed a weeklong work experience at Gleneagles Hotel and had the incredible opportunity to experience excellence first-hand during a visit to Tom Kitchin’s renowned restaurant, where they observed top-tier operations and culinary innovation. Our hospitality students also had the opportunity to serve canape’s at a reception at Parliament this spring.
- Career Achievement: A former student was appointed as Head Chef at the prestigious Three Chimneys, a celebrated fine-dining establishment known for its exceptional cuisine and service.
As we wrap up what has undoubtedly been a successful and transformative academic year, we’re already hard at work planning for the next! The Borders College Restaurant is set to reopen its doors to the public in October 2025.
Stay connected with us for updates, upcoming events, and booking information: Visit our website or follow us on social media. You can also sign up for our mailing list for exclusive news. https://www.borderscollege.ac.uk/restaurant
Thank you once again for your support — we look forward to welcoming you back next October.
And if you are considering a career in hospitality, there has never been a better time to join the ranks and apply for a course at Borders College. https://www.borderscollege.ac.uk/course-search