Ramsbury Estates – students learn the skills of creating great food at The Bell

Ramsbury Estates offer many products and services to the community around here. One lesser known element of their portfolio is education. Since 2017 Ramsbury Farming & Countryside Education have been providing schools, colleges and educational groups the opportunity to visit their farms for free. But a recent project has been for students at New College in Swindon to visit The Bell in Ramsbury to meet manager James, and learn food preparation skills. James explained and demonstrated how to butcher a whole Roe deer, fresh from Ramsbury Estate into specific cuts of venison for customers to enjoy in his award winning restaurant at The Bell.

Different, definitely but a new aspect of what Ramsbury gave been offering to those who want to learn.

“Every day is a school day. Be better at it today than you were yesterday.” James advised the New College students. He went on to emphasise the importance of respecting the animal & produce, ensuring nothing but the minimum goes to waste and to respect everyone in your team. “Work as a team in a place where people are going to lift you up and support each other. If you can work well with style, passion and commitment in the kitchen you can go and work anywhere in the world.” James explained going on to give examples.

Hospitality is a physically demanding job, nobody wants poor service and James stressed to the students that to succeed, expectations and service are high. “I am extremely demanding and I want things to be perfect. But my team also know if they are having a hard time and need some help I will give it. Front of house is just as important too. I can produce the best food but poor service and the dining room will be empty.”

So not just the skills of creating excellent cuisine, but what goes on alongside and behind, the emphasis that running a restaurant – any restaurant or even cafe – is a team effort and the customers will respond.

After the day one of the teachers present commented: “One of the students said on the journey home that he knows why he chose to be in the hospitality trade now.  James’s enthusiasm and passion are incredibly addictive and he is an inspiration to all of us!”

For further information about how schools and colleges can become involved, and be one of the twenty-five educational group visits every year that Ramsbury Estates offer – e-mail hazel@ramsbury.com.