It is the recipe for perfection – Nelson and Colne College and The Grand at Clitheroe joining together to develop student opportunity and provide customers with an exquisite experience.

Catering students at the College are working closely with the multimedia, live music and arts concert venue on dates including Ladies’ Film Night, “Lunchtime Live” and charity events.

From two-course dinners on Ladies’ Film Night (held on the second Tuesday of every month) to light lunches at “Lunchtime Live” (held on the last Friday of every month), this exciting partnership gives students an opportunity to work on a diverse range of menus, while gaining invaluable professional experience.

NCC Chef Mark Taft said: “We are very excited to be working in partnership with The Grand and to continue giving our students real industry experience.

“Students are delighted to be given another opportunity to develop their passion and get a real feel for life in catering. We are committed to ensuring our students are ready for the world of work when they leave College and we have seen many students progress into employment with local companies including The Angel Inn (Hetton) and The Seafood Pub Company due to our strong links.

“Our external catering company also helps prepare students for their future career by covering a range of events, from weddings to festivals. We now look forward to potentially seeing some of our students develop and gain further opportunities and experiences with The Grand.”

The Grand’s Programme Manager Matt Evans added: “It has been great joining forces with Nelson and Colne College – Mark has been fantastic and really enthusiastic.

“Here at The Grand we have a long-standing commitment to working with young people and we do a lot of work with local primary and secondary schools.

“We hope students will get a lot out of this opportunity – it is a chance for them to gain  professional experience and there is also a potential for them to make their first step into employment. We are looking forward to developing this partnership and are very excited to be working with Nelson and Colne College.”

From preparation, to delivery, to front of house, students studying for a Catering qualification at Nelson and Colne College are guaranteed to walk away with a diverse range of skills. Many students have gone on to achieve great success, including Dan Wright, who now works for Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin starred restaurant The Hind’s Head, in Berkshire.

Since opening its doors early in 2008, The Grand has become one of the North West’s best-loved mid-sized live music and arts venues, voted in the top 10 premier venues. It is committed to the educational, emotional, social, spiritual, cultural and personal development needs of young people and the broader community.

For more information about The Grand visit www.thegrandvenue.co.uk and for more information about Catering at Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272.