Students at Ulster University stepped into the kitchen with acclaimed chef and broadcaster Valentine Warner when he hosted the latest Culinary Salon at the University’s Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
The event saw students from the BSc Culinary Arts Management and BSc International Hospitality Management programmes collaborate with Warner to prepare and serve a four-course dinner for guests using locally sourced ingredients.
The Culinary Salon series gives Northern Ireland’s next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals the rare opportunity to work directly with leading figures from the food world – bringing real industry experience into the classroom kitchen.
Over two days, students worked alongside Warner to plan the menu, prepare dishes and deliver service on the night.
Valentine Warner said:
"Cooking is something you learn best by doing, and it was fantastic to spend time in the kitchen with such enthusiastic students. Their curiosity and energy made the collaboration a real pleasure, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation of chefs developing their craft in an environment like this."
Robert McKenna, Head of School at Ulster University, said the initiative plays an important role in preparing students for careers in hospitality.
"The Culinary Salon allows our students to learn directly from leading figures in the industry while working in a real service environment. Experiences like this help bridge the gap between the classroom and professional kitchens."
Ellen Morewood, BSc (Hons) Culinary Arts Management student at Ulster University worked on this unique event, said:
"Working alongside Valentine was an incredible opportunity. Seeing how he approaches ingredients and flavour, and then helping deliver the dishes to guests was both exciting and inspiring."
The Culinary Salon series is delivered in partnership with the Oxford Cultural Collective and supported by the Savoy Educational Trust.
Angela Maher, Chief Executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, said:
"The Culinary Salon series at Ulster University continues to provide a powerful platform for students to work alongside respected figures from the hospitality world. It’s exactly the kind of practical, real-world experience that helps develop the next generation of industry talent."
Visit the Academy Restaurant website - www.academyrestaurant.co.uk/
