Hospitality and cookery roles are vast and varied. You could choose to work in customer service and events, or take the culinary route working in bars and restaurants across the globe.

Hospitality and cookery employees can expect to work long and varied hours, often in pressured environments. Whether you prefer to deal with customers directly, or work behind the scenes in kitchens – you’ll need to be a good communicator and be ready to work hard to get the jobs done.

Your job role may also involve creativity – from planning and running events, through to being inventive in the kitchen, you'll be able to take pride in your creations.

Working in hospitality and cookery, you’ll learn transferable skills which will be useful around the world, particularly in areas with high levels of tourism.

At West Notts, hospitality and cookery students will work and train in the college’s commercial restaurant, Refined, building up vital industry experience in a professional kitchen. Refined provides students with the opportunity to work on the restaurant floor with real customers, or plan and prepare menus for Sunday lunches, fine dining and themed evenings.

Courses can lead on to university-level study, apprenticeships and employment.

Fine food and five stars

Refined fine dining restaurant has received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor based on the number of positive reviews it has received. Currently featured as number one out of 136 restaurants in Mansfield, TripAdvisor has awarded the restaurant based at the college’s Derby Road campus a five star award.

TripAdvisor awards a certificate of excellence to accommodation, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers.

Out of the 114 reviews that the restaurant currently has, 102 of them have been deemed ‘excellent’ by reviewers who are asked to rate restaurants based on food, service, value for money and atmosphere.

The restaurant opened in 2013 and is home to NVQ Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery and Hospitality and Leadership students where they learn the skills of the catering industry. Working with real customers equips them with the knowledge needed before they enter the world of work.

Curriculum manager for travel and hospitality Jennifer Jordan said: “The award is a result of the hard work by staff and students who have created a range of dining experiences to suit the many types of customer who have given us five star feedback.

“From our regular lunchtime customers, who recognise quality and value for money, to the food innovations and vibrant atmosphere at our Wednesday evening themed dining and the contemporary excellence of the Friday evening fine dining experience.

“Sunday lunchtimes have also resulted in some brilliant comments. It’s great to receive this award in recognition of the high quality of service and food here at Refined and the achievements of the staff and students.”