Newcastle College’s Chefs’ Academy restaurant secures impressive ‘Highly Commended’ AA College Rosette

Newcastle College’s Chefs’ Academy restaurant is celebrating the news, following a recent AA Hotel Services inspector visit, that the restaurant has been awarded a prestigious ‘Highly Commended AA College Rosette’, one of only a handful of college restaurants in the country to have been recognised at this level and the only college-run restaurant in the north east to receive this acknowledgement Staff and students at the Chefs’ Academy Restaurant were delighted to discover they had received the Highly Commended AA College Rosette – the highest possible level of the award following a visit by restaurant inspectors. People 1st and AA Hotel Services have developed the AA College Rosette scheme in order to mirror the industry recognised programme and acknowledge college restaurants for the quality of the food produced and the level of service delivered.  The award criteria includes that the restaurant is serving food prepared with care, is using good quality ingredients, that the learning environment and restaurant are of the best quality and that it can compete well within a true restaurant environment including highly polished service levels and clear support from lecturers. Andy Brown, Hospitality Section Manager at Newcastle College said: “We are delighted to have achieved this recognised status as it reflects the high standards that we work to both in the kitchen and the restaurant. This accreditation means the industry recognises that we train students in the skills employers need and gives confidence to young people considering entering the hospitality industry that when training with Newcastle College you are in one of the best possible learning environments." Comments from the AA inspector were across a number of areas including service: “..the meet and greet was very good and service was seamless”, on the physical aspects of the restaurant: “The elevated location of this restaurant offers great views of the city” and the cuisine: “a very good flavour from the broth, further complemented by that of the pork tenderloin which added another dimension to the dish which was a real triumph.” The Chefs’ Academy restaurant at Newcastle College is open Tuesday – Friday lunchtime from 12 noon – 2.00pm, and for dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening, 5.30pm-9.30pm. In addition, there are a number of events each month with a selection of delicious themed menus, for more details visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk/chefsacademy .