The TUCO Academy aims to provide training, learning and development opportunities to all TUCO members, and this includes front-of-house staff working at TUCO member institutions. Those attending this development day included: a functions assistant, a fellows butler assistant, an assistant manager and a front-of-house manager.
The development day was aimed at front-of-house staff working in fine dining restaurants or working in conferencing and events. It was designed to also be the perfect training opportunity for members planning to take part in the TUCO Competitions.
The Fine Dining masterclass was delivered by Andrew Bisconti, Lecturer at University College Birmingham (UCB) who sought to enhance working skills and knowledge of delivering a fine dining experience. UCB has established a pre-eminent reputation in educating and training hospitality staff over the last four decades. The TUCO Academy is delighted to partner with UCB, who created this bespoke course specifically for TUCO members.
During the event, delegates were given an overview of fine dining and where their role fits in to the overall culinary experience of clients. Amongst many other skills gained during this session, delegates learned about service styles and etiquettes, equipment overview, menu knowledge, salesmanship, social skills, leaving a lasting impression and raising the fine dining experience standards. Judith Hoyle tells us, “It was a wonderful opportunity for delegates to share knowledge and common issues which occur in their everyday roles at our member institutions.”
Throughout the course of the day, delegates achieved the following objectives:
- Enhance working skills and knowledge for delivering a fine dining experience
- Understand fine dining and where their role fits in to the overall culinary experience of clients
- Develop service styles and etiquettes
- Understand new equipment
- Improve menu knowledge
- Work on how to leave a lasting impression and raising the fine dining experience standards
As well as learning how to make the most delicious Caesar salad, the day ended on a high with an amazing cheese and wine pairing session expertly put together by Christine Alberto, Food and Beverage Lecturer at UCB.
All study tours are created with a focus on a cuisine, catering organisation need or trend, and provide unique and educational hands-on experiences along with invaluable opportunities to network with delegates in similar roles to you at other institutions. To see TUCO’s upcoming study tours, or to book onto any event, please visit www.TUCO.ac.uk/Learn or email [email protected].
“I was very impressed with the cheese and wine tasting.”
– Delegate from St John’s College Cambridge.
“The group bonded well and shared many common experiences.”
– Delegate from TUCO.
