Acclaimed Restaurant Manager at Babylon restaurant, Kensington, Peter Avis, returned to his Liverpool roots this week to inspire Career College students hoping to emulate his success in the hospitality industry.
Peter visited the North West’s only Career College, based at Hugh Baird College in Bootle, where he met 14-19 year olds who are focusing on specialist training to prepare them for the hospitality, catering and visitor economy industries. He spoke to an audience of seventy students before being taken on a tour of the College’s L20 Restaurant and training kitchens. As a much in demand speaker on customer service, teamwork, leadership and innovation, Peter told the students his background and career history, how he achieved his success and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Many of those attending Peter’s motivational session are studying on hospitality and catering courses, learning both front of house and professional cooking skills. They were also joined by students on the cabin crew and travel and visitor economy courses, whose work experience includes honing their customer service skills at hospitality venues and events.
Peter explained how he went from growing up on a council estate in Liverpool, leaving school as a dyslexic teenager with no plans for the future, and worked his way up from washing dishes to working front of house before eventually being awarded UK Restaurant Manager of the Year.
Excellent people skills, customer service and burning ambition took him to roles including head waiter at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, waiter at the Royal Garden Hotel in London and assistant manager at a private restaurant in London’s Knightsbridge. Along the way, he has learned management skills and the importance of teamwork. He has been working at the prestigious Babylon Restaurant at the The Roof Gardens in London – part of Virgin Limited Edition’s portfolio – since it opened in 2001. He became the Restaurant Manager at Babylon in 2006 and he and his team scooped the Best London Restaurant award at the Visit London Awards two years later. Peter also received the 2014 Catey Award for ‘Manager of the Year’.
Speaking on the industry, Peter Avis commented:
“Hospitality is one of the most exciting and rewarding career paths there is, and at Babylon we’re very passionate about showcasing the opportunities that our sector can create. It was truly inspiring to meet the students at Hugh Baird College and witness first-hand the motivation and passion that the next generation of leaders in our industry possess.”
Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, Yana Williams, said:
“We’re delighted that Peter has taken the time to visit the College and inspire our students. His shining example of working hard, being prepared to do anything and learn lessons along the way, is typical of the sort of role model we want our students to come into contact with whilst studying here, raising their aspirations and motivating them to succeed, whatever their background and in whatever career they choose.”
Having spent two years at the 14-16 College, Kira Griffiths has just progressed to the Level 2 Diploma in Air Cabin Crew at Hugh Baird College. She said:
“We’ve learned loads from Peter today. He has really shown us that it doesn’t matter where you come from as long as you work hard and have a passion for what you do. I never realised that working in hospitality could take you so high up in business and give you the chance to travel the world. It’s made me even more excited to start my career. ”
If you are interested in a career in the hospitality and catering industry or would like to find out more about any of the courses at Hugh Baird College’s Career College, visit www.hughbaird.ac.uk or telephone 0151 353 4444.