Chef visit from Michelin-starred SOURCE showcases refurbished food technology room
Yesterday, we welcomed Alessandro Perfetto from Michelin-starred SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, as Year 10 students took part in a special food demonstration and practical cookery session in our newly refurbished food technology room.
During the morning session, Alessandro demonstrated how to prepare fresh filled pasta, including ravioli and tortellini, before 17 of our Year 10 students recreated their own dishes under his guidance.
The visit showcased our refurbished food technology facility, which has been transformed thanks to the support of The Savoy Educational Trust and the Dallam School Charitable Trust. The refurbishment was a complete refit of the room, including new workstations, ovens and hobs, and a height-adjustable workstation to support all learners. We secured a grant of £48,589.65 from The Savoy Educational Trust, while the Dallam School Charitable Trust contributed a further £25,000 to enable a thorough refurbishment.
The improved facility is already helping to create richer learning opportunities for our students. Representatives from Gilpin Hotel first visited our school as part of our careers day, which led Alessandro to return yesterday and deliver the practical session.
The morning gave students valuable insight into professional food preparation and the hospitality industry, while also allowing Alessandro to share his own career path and encourage young people to consider careers in hospitality.
Steven Henneberry, Headteacher, said:
“This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn from a highly regarded chef and to experience the standards and skills involved in professional kitchens. We were delighted to showcase our refurbished food technology room, which is already making a real difference to teaching and learning.
“We are very grateful to The Savoy Educational Trust and the Dallam School Charitable Trust for making this investment possible. The new facility is helping us provide high-quality, practical learning experiences and strengthen the link between classroom learning and future careers.”
Alessandro Perfetto said:
“I had an excellent experience with the Dallam students in our first cookery demo. There was clear talent and passion for cooking among the students at the school, which is fantastic to see at such a young age. We hope this passion will carry through to a long-lasting partnership and further demonstrations and masterclasses.
“The students and teaching staff were an absolute treat to work alongside, and it was a great experience for me too.”
One of our Year 10 participants said:
“It was really interesting to learn from a professional chef and to see how the skills we use in school relate to possible careers. It gave me a better idea of what working in hospitality could be like.”
The session reflects our commitment to providing students with meaningful, real-world experiences alongside their classroom learning.
