Brock hospitality students eclipse rivals at special Chewton Glen industry lunch

Two Hospitality students from Brock beat rivals from other colleges to be named stars of the day during an employer lunch showcase at the five-star Chewton Glen Hotel.

Imogen Allan from Hordle won Front of House Star of the Day, while Daisy Boreham from Lyndhurst won Back of House Star of the Day.

They were part of a group of students from Brock, Eastleigh College and Bournemouth and Poole College, who were cooking and serving food for restaurant owners and hospitality professionals.

Working in The Kitchen at Chewton Glen alongside top chefs, the students were not even told they were being assessed until the end of service.

Executive head chef of Chewton Glen, Luke Matthews, and head chef of The Kitchen, Luke Phillips, ran the show.

They were joined by executive chef at Cliveden House, Chris Hannon, and Bradd Johns, executive chef at The Mayfair Townhouse Hotel.

It was all part of a skills initiative organised by industry body The Chefs’ Forum in partnership with Iconic Luxury Hotels, which runs Chewton Glen.

Imogen Allan said: “It was a very positive and insightful experience to be working alongside talented chefs in a large-scale, busy environment.”

Daisy Boreham added: “Seeing how a high-quality kitchen functions and networking with talented professionals today has given me a snapshot of what my future career might look like.”

Among the professionals dining at the event were former Brock Hospitality students Susie Viriphan and Mark Russell.

Susie is now a senior sous chef at Mount St. Restaurant in London; meanwhile, Mark is assistant manager at The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu.

Cathy MacArthur, Senior Hospitality Instructor at Brockenhurst College, said: “I was delighted to see two of our students win both Front of House and Back of House Star of the Day.

“Industry events like these are so important for students, who work with their peers from other colleges and fantastic employers like Chewton Glen. “