The group, including Duncan Cameron, Richard Pumphrey, Steve Thomas, Neil Spiers and Chris Davis, went on to work in hotels in the UK and abroad and run their own pubs and restaurants, attended UCB 50 years ago - then called Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts – when it first opened in 1968 and they were just 16 years old.
Since then, the institution has expanded and now offers a range of vocational and academic college courses across a number of subjects, including the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies.
Cameron, who went on to teach at UCB, said: “Things have changed so much in the last 50 years - the facilities are unrecognisable. What was very surreal, but lovely, was that I also actually taught two of the lecturers who showed us round.
“The overwhelming impression I am left with is one I experienced as a student, that of total commitment to the students and the hospitality industry. It is an institution to be truly proud of.”
With a number of “special” events and activities to be announced in the coming months to celebrate its golden anniversary year, UCB vice-chancellor and principal professor Ray Linforth added: “We are tremendously proud of our (UCB’s) unique and specialist position and it was especially lovely to have some of the class of 1968 visit as we start our 50th anniversary year and hear them reminisce about UCB and the staff.
“The loyalty and passion they all share for the hospitality industry and UCB was so evident and enormously appreciated.