Hospitality and Catering student Emma Partner from Hugh Baird College; is putting the skills she has learnt at the College’s L20 Hotel School to good use in an exciting match day role at Liverpool Football Club’s new Main Stand.
As an assistant to the Chef in the executive boxes of the new stand, Emma regularly prepares meals for guests and on occasion has even cooked for some famous faces.
Emma, who is studying the Level 2 Professional Cookery and Food Service course at the L20 Hotel School, was made aware of the hospitality opportunities available at the club’s new stand thanks to a recruitment event held at the College in April of this year.
As a result of increased capacity at the club’s historic ground, more than 1000 new matchday opportunities have become available. Having heard about these, Emma completed an application form and began her journey to Anfield over the summer months.
Emma said:
“Thanks to the college, I had undertaken work experience in the players’ lounge at Everton’s ground, so when the opportunity to work at Anfield came up, I jumped at the chance.”
“On a match day, my day starts with prep. To get everything ready for when the guests arrive, we work from a brand new state of the art central kitchen. There is a really good atmosphere during this part of the day with everyone working hard together and helping each other. Once the guests arrive at the box, I am on hand to cook for them. The visitors can order anything so it’s a good test of my skills and ability.”
“The guests are really nice and sometimes ask me questions about the dishes and how I’m cooking them.”
“I absolutely love working at Liverpool Football Club even though I’m an Everton fan myself! Everyone has made me feel so welcome and I can feel myself becoming a better chef after every shift. I’m learning all the time.”
“In the future, I plan on working my way through the ranks at the club. There are lots of opportunities. My manager is really supportive and is providing me with lots of encouragement and guidance.”
Paula Rowland, Assistant Principal at Hugh Baird College said:
“It is fantastic to hear about our students putting the skills they are learning with us to use to help them forge their own successful careers. Emma is fanatical about the industry and I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her.”
“The College have a good working relationship with Liverpool Football Club and we are grateful for their own going support of our students. I hope it continues to develop and grow over the coming years with more of our students helping them to realise their ambitions both on and off the pitch.”