Description:Michael Shelley, a first year student in the Stafford County Technical College’s catering course, is pictured in the new restaurant, as he satisfies an exacting customer with his service, who is his tutor, Miss B Blythe. In the background other first year students also seem to approve of his method of waiting. Please contact us if you recognise anyone else in the photograph.
It was reported in the Newsletter that for many years catering students at the College had to put up with very limited quarters and equipment. Now, however, they have their own Catering “Suite”, with a large kitchen and restaurant, where they may experience the same conditions as in actual practice. The suite was put into use for the first time when members of the Catering Advisory Committee followed their meeting on Friday 29 April, with lunch in the new restaurant, a lunch cooked and served entirely by students in the catering course. Among those who attended the lunch were: Mr A C Stillman, County Education Architect, Mr L C R Taylor, Assistant Architect, Mr T Atkinson, Chairman of the College Governors, Mr H Lister, Assistant Director of Education, Mr A Torkington, Principal of the College and Miss P Bentley, Head of the domestic science and catering department.
This facility was thought to be the best equipped catering department in the Midlands. The roomy kitchen had the latest large scale gas range of six units, with steaming ovens, boiling pans, and hot cupboards. Around the walls there were fitted stainless steel washing sinks, there was a massive 75 cubic feet refrigerator and preparation tables. Adjoining the kitchen was the light and airy restaurant, with furnishings of a contemporary design and eight dining tables with thirty seats and four large sideboards. Students would be gain practical experience in cooking in the kitchen and the presentation of meals, they also received practical involvement on various restaurant duties including waiting. Tutors in the course were Miss B Blythe and Miss D Allouie.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 7 May 1955. Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.