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Claire Waterson and Will Reyner with the front of house team at Edmunds restaurant.

Restaurant boss says ‘collaboration is a great way to recruit’

An award winning restaurant joined forces with a local college and created a new menu for a high profile business event.

The partnership took place between Tuddenham Mill and Edmunds restaurant that is based in the grounds of West Suffolk College.

The 2020 Suffolk Young Chef of the Year, Harvey Thompson from Tuddenham Mill spent two days creating a menu with learners currently studying at the College.

Then Will Reyner the restaurant manager came in to work with front of house students to help them dish out a five star experience for around 35 guests who all work for local big hitting firms.

3 WSC chefs with Harvey

Mr Thompson said: “Working with the students is great. They learn from me and I learn from them. West Suffolk College produces some fantastic chefs.”

Mr Reyner – who works for a hotel and restaurant that has four AA stars for culinary excellence said: “The students have done us proud and I definitely see some of them becoming our employees of the future. The industry has had its problems in terms of getting staff so this collaboration is a great way to recruit.”

1 Will and Harvey

Claire Waterson is the operations manager at Edmunds. Mrs Waterson said: “This is all about working with the best in the county to raise aspirations of our students. Part of what we do is forge partnerships and I think the hospitality industry is unique. If you reach out to them, no matter how busy they are, they always try and support you. Harvey and Will have been superb. We are grateful for their support.”

One of the students to benefit from this was Dylan Klimowicz. The level three hospitality and events student said: “It’s been really cool to work with Tuddenham Mill and see what they do and they get to see what we can do. It’s been great for making contacts and learning new skills.”

4 Dylan Klimowicz

The evening itself attracted guests from a selection of companies who are currently working, or looking to work with the College.

Phil Stittle is the Executive Director for Business Development, Strategic Growth and Partnerships at West Suffolk College. He organised the networking part of the evening. Mr Stittle said: “It was great to invite the local community into our restaurant. Supporting and working with the community is at the root of everything we do. This occasion was all about sitting down with current and potential partners and showing and talking to them about how we can help each other.”

Some of the businesses who came along included Greene King, Taylor Wimpey and Suffolk Police.

Gary Miller from Suffolk Police attended and said: “As an organisation, it’s important we work with our local College. This event was a fantastic showcase of what the college can offer.”

5 Phil Stittle and Gary Miller