Hospitality and Catering students from Hugh Baird College’s L20 Hotel School have recently enjoyed an educational trip to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy.
The trip came about thanks to a partnership between the L20 Hotel School and a specialist Hospitality High School called Istituto Alberghiero which is situated in the small town of Abano Terme. On arrival at the school, the L20 students and staff were greeted by senior staff from Istituto Alberghiero and its pupils.
After a short tour of the school, which, like the L20 Hotel School, specialises in preparing students for a career in the hospitality industry, the students set about working with their Italian peers to prepare a five course traditional Veneto meal for invited guests and student.
Day two of the visit saw the L20 Hotel School students taken on a tour of the region by the Italian students and staff. Over the course of the tour, the students visited a traditional artisan cheese manufacturer, an olive oil producer and a vineyard. It was then time for the students of the L20 Hotel School to pack their bags and move on to the capital of the Veneto region, Venice.
While in one of the most unique cities in the world, the students took to the canals and narrow walkways to take in Renaissance and Gothic palaces, the central square; Piazza San Marco, which contains St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile bell tower. Climbing the bell tower provided the learners with unforgettable views of the city’s red roofed skyline as the sun set.
Speaking on returning to the College, L20 Hotel School Curriculum Coordinator Stephen Otty said:
“This is just one of the many life changing experiences we offer our students. When working in the hospitality industry, it is important to understand where the ingredients you are working with come from and this trip really did educate the students on Italian produce and culture.”
“We would like to thank the students and staff from Istituto Alberghiero for their hospitality and look forward to welcoming them back to the L20 Hotel School and the L20 Restaurant in the next academic year.”
Level 3 Supervision in Food and Beverage Services student, Amanda Fox, from Bootle added:
“The trip to Veneto was sensational. We had undertaken lots of research before we left, but nothing could have prepared us for how beautiful it was. We learnt lots on the trip too and the food we ate was amazing. While visiting the food producers, we learnt about the techniques they use to create such amazing produce and also got to taste a number of samples.”
Level 1 Diploma in Hospitality student, Dan Farrell from Aintree, said:
“The highlight for me was Venice. I had seen it on the TV and in magazines, but to go there was something I just never thought I’d do.”