Three Level 3 Professional Cookery students have joined the team at the luxurious Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest as commis chef. Emily King, James Tumilty and Harrison Le Marechal, all completed their formal culinary training at Eastleigh College in July.

The multi-award winning catering and hospitality team at the college is passionate and enthusiastic about showing young chefs what a truly great industry they can go into. To achieve this, the team works closely with industry to forge links that will give our learners great opportunities in the future.

Their contact for more than six years at Chewton Glen is Executive Head Chef, Luke Matthews, who regularly visits the college to take part in guest chef nights, judging competitions and arranging work experience and visits for students to the hotel. Luke commented: “It is a great privilege to work alongside the team at Eastleigh College nurturing the young hospitality stars of the future. For the past 25 years I have been extremely fortunate to be part of the kitchen brigade at Chewton Glen cooking for our fabulous guests, as well as remarkable public figures, movie stars, sporting heroes and Royalty, it is a pleasure to welcome Emily, James and Harrison who will continue our tradition of excellent service and world-class hospitality.”

Greg Cheesman, chef lecturer, said: “To provide our students with an advanced understanding of the industry, we offer work experience locally and in London, take a lot of trips and visits, eat at high end restaurants and local eateries, look at seasonal produce and practice in the role of kitchen supervisor. When our students leave they are fully trained to industry standards with a nationally recognised qualification.”

All of the new recruits at Chewton Glen have spent three years studying as junior chefs at Eastleigh College:

• Emily completed a BTEC national diploma in Hospitality and Level 3 Professional Cookery with work experience at Grosvenor House, London.
• James qualified with Level 3 Professional Cookery and competed at the National Seafood Competition.
• Harry worked for The Hiltonbury Farmhouse, Chandlers Ford while studying Level 3 Professional Cookery. He achieved competition success winning gold at the Hospitality Show in London and ranking within the top three in four other competitions including internationals at the NEC, Birmingham.

Chewton Glen Hotel is home to a world-class spa, an award-winning restaurant, and a casual dining restaurant run in association with celebrity chef James Martin. Although dining has changed subtly in 2020 to keep guests and staff safe from Covid-19, with their skills, experience and work ethic, our students are well equipped to cope with new ways of working and we wish them continued success in their chosen careers.