The Wessex, at the Salisbury campus, is run by students and has been praised by AA inspectors

Student-run Salisbury restaurant handed tasty accolade by AA inspectors

Paul JonesMay 12, 20260 Comment0

A SALISBURY restaurant staffed by hospitality students has been handed a tasty endorsement by inspectors.

The Wessex, at the Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Salisbury campus, has been handed a prestigious AA rosette, alongside its counterpart the White Horse, in Trowbridge.

AA Rosettes, a nationwide scheme, has been rating the quality of food served by restaurants and hotels since 1968.

The inspectors ate a two-course lunch prepared in the eatery’s industry-standard kitchens by level 2 and 3 Professional Cookery students and served by Level 1 Culinary Skills students.

After their meal, they described the dining room staff as “smiley, chatty and proactive, thus creating a very positive first impression”.

The inspectors praised the lunch, particularly the French apple tart for dessert.

“The tart was well made with the pastry case delivering the expected textural contrast,” they said. “All in all, a very good end to the meal.”

Students were also praised for their menu knowledge and attentiveness.

“It was good to see the advertising banners, reinforcing the college courses and commitment to locally sourced, freshly prepared modern cuisine,” the inspectors’ report said.

Meanwhile, the college has also been awarded a Silver rating by national training consultant People 1st International for the quality of the education and support on offer at both restaurants.

Steve Lloyd, deputy head of department, hospitality, hair and beauty, said he was proud of the way students performed under the pressure of knowing the inspectors were among a busy roomful of diners.

“To win the AA rosettes for both restaurants is really pleasing,” he said. “I am thrilled for the students because they deserve it. They put the hard work in and now they have been rewarded for it, I am absolutely delighted.

“It highlights the fact we are a great place to come and eat but also an attractive place to learn because the rosettes, and the award from People 1st, show we being recognised as an excellent route into the industry.

“We’ve introduced a lot of changes over the last couple of years, including a partnership with the Kaleidoscope Group, which owns the Bishopstrow Hotel, near Warminster. We’ve been sending students there for their work experience and that has been really inspirational for them.”

The facility currently hosts 35 hospitality students in Trowbridge and Salisbury.

The Wessex, at the Salisbury campus, is run by students and has been praised by AA inspectors

Many will go on to work in top class restaurant and hotel kitchens, while Steve said the AA rosettes “only add to the hospitality department’s growing reputation”.

“We are passionate about teaching our students the right way to cook and giving them the knowledge and skills to make their way in the industry,” he added.

“These awards are a testament to the quality of both food and service that our students provide and we hope to see many more people in our restaurants as a result.”

The Wessex is open for lunch every Wednesday, with a two-course lunch costing £12 and three courses, £14.

Said Steve: “As the AA inspectors said, our lunches are fantastic value. We see a lot of groups and clubs visiting but we are always keen to welcome more.”

To book a table at The Wessex, call 01722 344253 or email wessexrestaurant@wiltshire.ac.uk. For more on hospitality courses at WCUC, see www.wiltshire.ac.uk.