A recent Hospitality and Catering Industry Jobs Fair held at The Bournemouth & Poole College was a rather special occasion for Jodie Cooper.
For Jodie it meant a happy return to the place where she learned the essential skills on which she now relies in her key role as General Manager at Pebbles Beach – one of the South Coast’s most stunning restaurants.
It has only been three years since Jodie was refining her ‘front of house’ skills on a Level 2 course based at The College’s own commercially run restaurant, The Escoffier, in Bournemouth. And since receiving her formal qualification her career has gone from strength-to-strength.
She said: “It’s hard to believe really. It was here, with the fantastic support of the college tutors, that I discovered my love of this type of work. It gave me the confidence to express myself and discover where my real skills lie. I loved my time here at The College and it inspired me to progress.”
As General Manager of Pebble Beach, she oversees day-to-day operations of the award winning restaurant on the cliff at Barton-on-Sea set against the backdrop of Isle of Wight’s famous Needles.
The Jobs Fair attracted a fair number of current Hospitality and Catering students. Some of the biggest local names in the industry based in Bournemouth and Poole came along looking to recruit. With the summer tourism rush around the corner they were on the look-out for bright young staff to help out.
As well as Pebble Beach, representatives of Days Hotel, The Highcliff Marriott, The Connaught, The Cumberland, The Menzies and The Miramar Hotels in Bournemouth and The Sandbanks Hotel, Poole, were on hand with advice.
Mark Alderman, Senior Tutor said: “Our Jobs Fair is well-timed to help students find openings over the summer and build on their skills and confidence, also for companies to meet the next generation of young people looking to carve a career in this rewarding sector.”
