Cheshire College – South & West is delighted by the success of Level 1 Professional Cookery student, Esther James, who won a silver medal at the WorldSkills Foundation Skills competition for Restaurant Service.

The national competition was a true test of skill and talent, as students had to use their professionalism and creativity to set a restaurant-standard table for four people with a Christmas theme. Esther’s victory makes her one of the most accomplished students in her field in the UK.

When asked how she felt about the competition, Esther responded: “I was really nervous before the competition but so proud when I won the silver medal.

“It feels amazing knowing I achieved this all by myself. Your lecturers can help you to prepare but during the competition you’re out there all alone, so it felt great to be one of the winners.”

Lecturer in Hospitality and Catering, John Holden said of Esther’s success: “Esther has been practising hard for this Final and all the credit goes to her for her tenacity, drive and motivation. We are immensely proud of Esther and her achievement, and we look forward to hopefully more success in the future.”

The College’s Hospitality and Catering courses enable learners to gain experience and industry skills in the Academy and Academy West Restaurants, at Crewe and Ellesmere Port Campuses. Students are given the opportunity to provide catering and gain experience at corporate events and Gourmet Evenings. Most recently, Crewe’s Academy Restaurant was awarded the 2023 ‘UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year 2023′ title.

Cheshire College are now accepting applications for September 2024 for those interested in studying a diverse range of subjects, designed to provide students with combined skills and knowledge that will fully prepare them for the next exciting stage of their life.