Meet James, Ex Professional Cookery student who has turned his qualifications into a career as Chef de Partie at Wembley Stadium.
James studied at West Herts College for 3 years, he achieved qualifications in Professional Cookery that helped him towards securing a career as a Chef de Partie at Wembley Stadium
Reflecting on his time at college, James expressed how supportive his tutors were and how invaluable the skills he gained in the training kitchens were. His tutors helped build his confidence and guided him as he developed an awareness of his surroundings in the kitchen. During the course, James crafted a solid foundation of skills needed in the industry such as cleanliness, timekeeping and punctuality.
There were a wide range of development opportunities available to James during his studies, these ranged from attending prestigious events like the Brit Awards, to various educational trips and visits to professional kitchens. James highlighted how these experiences gave him a “real taste of the outside world” and helped him grow personally and professionally.
When Chef Harry Lomas, MBE Head of Culinary at Wembley Stadium, visited the college during his studies, James found himself presented with an opportunity that he grasped with both hands.
Harry showed James and the rest of his class, highly skilled cooking techniques and invited them to visit the kitchens at Wembley Stadium. James went along to the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea. After spending the day working with professional chefs in the stadium’s fine dining restaurant, Chef Harry gave James his business card.
Now, two years later he is working at Wembley Stadium as a Chef de Partie. James speaks highly of how the college and his tutors supported him to reach this goal, “It just shows how the college opens doors to great experiences and career opportunities”.
James is now a professional chef revisiting the college and advises current students that they should always be willing to go out of their way to achieve their goals, his takeaway advice?. “Mise en plaice it means always be prepared and organised in the kitchen and in your outside life”.