Listening to students gives Redcliffe key to success at Midlands colleges

Across the three campuses at Dudley College, Redcliffe provides a variety of services including innovations such as a deli bar for made to order specialist sandwiches like baguettes and paninis, a branded coffee shop for high quality hot & cold beverages and premium snacks and a student restaurant with an extensive offering for day-to-day dining. Simon Tupper, Director at Redcliffe explained: "Consulting with students, we try to combine what they say they want with what they need and can afford. That means reflecting what is readily available on the high street - premium coffee and high quality deli at one end of the scale and the option of a meal deal for 99p at the other. "The FE market is brand aware so the coffee shop here serves Starbucks. Another of the main attractions is Redcliffe's own "Lots of Pots" brand – a main meal served in a bowl such as Moroccan lamb with cous cous or roasted seasonal vegetables - starting at just 99p." Another introduction to appeal to students' sense of adventure is the weekly chef's theatre where dishes like stir fries, waffles and sweet or savoury crepes are cooked to order in full view. In addition to providing modern student dining at Shrewsbury's two campuses, on a day to day basis, Redcliffe work closely with the college lecturers to manage a team of students studying the highly sought after hospitality courses at the college. Each day students operate within the kitchens which recently underwent a £50,000 upgrade, preparing food, setting up the counters and serving the delicious food they have produced to their peers. "Owing to the college's fantastic reputation, the hospitality courses are over-subscribed and providing this internship is a real bonus giving valuable experience to as many students as possible in a live catering environment," adds Simon Tupper.