December has been an exciting month for students in the Food Department, with no less than two restaurant visits for students to try a host of new dishes whilst experiencing outstanding customer service.

First, Sixth Formers studying Food Science and Nutrition visited Durham’s newest fine dining restaurant, FIIK where they were able to try out the famous tasting menu that has everyone talking. FIIK’s mission is to bring the fine dining experience to the masses by making it affordable; this means that students had the opportunity to try Venison and Crapaudine Beetroot Meatball, Goat’s Cheese Bauble with Chestnut Crumb, Salt aged Strip Loin and Applewood Smoked Turkey and Pickle Power Cheddar Croquettes followed by Manjari Chocolate Log.

In addition to this, Year 10 students were treated to a wide variety of traditional Spanish dishes at El Castillo Tapas Restaurant in Bishop Auckland Market Place. Many had never tried dishes such as Spanish potatoes, Tempura prawns, Calamari, Spanish meatballs, Chorizo and Spanish tortilla but all enjoyed the experience immensely.

Both trips were provided to students free of charge thanks to two successful funding bids to The Key+. To gain the funding, students prepared and delivered a presentation as a team to a panel of judges and answered questions about how the trip would progress their learning and support their personal development. Students were delighted to be granted the funds to allow their trip to go ahead.

In January, students in the Media Department will be applying for The Key+ funding to pay for two activities; firstly, a class trip to an Escape Room which will allow them to develop team working and problem solving skills, and a class restaurant meal to promote communication and social skills.