Colleges given first and second place at AA awards

Student-run eateries in Devon and Cornwall have won first and second place at national hospitality awards.

Exeter College’s @thirty-four restaurant, home of the Michael Caines Academy, was presented with the AA College Restaurant of the Year award.

Senara, at Penwith College in Penzance, came runner up in the competition.

Entrants were asked to design an event celebrating a significant milestone in 2023, with Exeter College choosing the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

Mr Caines called winning the award a “great achievement”.

He said: “I feel incredibly proud of the students and staff for winning this amazing award, it is a true testament to all the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes by the students and the college lecturers as well.”

Two students from Penwith College chose to celebrate the “progressive development of equality and diversity” through 100 years of Disney.

Catering lecturer at the college Dean Bungay said the students worked “continuously hard throughout the year to achieve an exceptionally high level of industry professionalism to prepare our students for employment in the incredible hospitality industry”.

“Being part of this process, presenting to a panel of judges and attending events in London is a huge adventure and learning experience for the students.”