Students serve up success at Three Chimneys pop up restaurant

Students at Inverness College UHI enjoyed an opportunity of a lifetime this week (25 February) when they delivered a first class gastronomical experience to over 40 guests working alongside Chefs and front of house staff from celebrated Skye restaurant, the Three Chimneys.

Over two days, professional cookery students from Inverness College UHI, Inverness schools and a student from West Highland College UHI worked under renowned head chef, Scott Davies to help prepare the delicious five-course taster menu.

Three Chimneys’ Restaurant Manager, Priscila Picon, also led 6 hospitality and event management students to provide the highest standard of front of house services, giving them a taste of working life with an award-winning establishment.

The meal, which included the finest Scottish ingredients, was served at the new Inverness College UHI’s Sheiling restaurant.

The first of its kind in the Highlands, the pop-up event was developed in by Inverness College UHI and The Three Chimneys to raise the profile of hospitality careers, with profits going to the University of the Highlands and Islands’ new hospitality scholarship fund.

The fund aims to promote the development of hospitality skills across the entire Highlands and Islands region by building partnerships with employers and creating unique learning opportunities.

Speaking of the event, Diane Rawlinson, principal and chief executive at Inverness College UHI, said: “Highlands and Islands hospitality is legendary and as such, plays an enormous role in making our region the destination of choice for thousands of visitors each year. In order to nurture and grow this reputation for the future, it is vitally important we continue to develop home-grown talent.

“By partnering with the industry’s finest names, we can highlight the excellent career opportunities available in the region whilst also creating opportunities for budding stars to gain hands on experience with top chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers.

“I’d like to thank the Three Chimneys team for their support and for making this fantastic initiative such a great success.”

Shirley Spear, owner and director at the Three Chimneys, added: “It is so important to encourage people to stay in the Highlands and Islands to develop their careers, particularly when they are young. Businesses throughout the region can offer wonderful opportunities to train and build real work experience.  We can also offer unique opportunities for young people to shine in small businesses, where they are usually an integral part of a small team, rather than one of a large number in a major operation.

“I hope we will do more of this type of work with educators in the future. I am delighted that those working with me in our business are as keen to do this as I am as they realise the importance of encouraging young people into Scotland’s thriving tourism and hospitality Industry.”