HOSPITALITY and catering students from Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) were recently treated to a special culinary workshop, courtesy of the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough.

Mat Mitka, executive chef at the Aviator, and two chefs de partie visited The Restaurant at BCoT where Level 3 students got the chance to create a number of dishes under the supervision and guidance of the team from the award-winning brasserie restaurant.

Using a range of ingredients, the students created a king scallop and oyster cracker accompanied with plankton sauce, as well as a loin of spring lamb with wild garlic and vegetables.

BCoT's strong links with employers throughout the region, such as the Aviator Hotel, gives students the opportunity to gain valuable experiences and learn new skills from experts within their chosen field of study.

After receiving professional feedback on their dishes, the students had the chance to ask a number of questions about careers within the hospitality and catering industry, which included where to find the latest job opportunities, and how to secure work experience.

Mr Mitka also agreed to send the students the recipes to practise in their own time, and challenged the students to come up with new ideas on how they would improve the two dishes.

Anthony Bravo, principal of BCoT, said: "I would like to thank the team from the Aviator Hotel for coming to the college and giving our students this unique experience. Our students become world class by learning from industry professionals, and experiences like this ensure they will leave college ready for the world of work."