The aim of the visit was to encourage students to create a Peruvian inspired menu for a competition in which winners will spend a week in Peru being trained at award winning Peruvian restaurant Central.

Robert Ortiz is encouraging students to enter the competition as he believes that it is “very interesting for students to broaden their knowledge and see what’s happening around the world with emerging cuisines.”

The advice he gives the catering students is to “work hard and be honest with yourself.”

James Unwin, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality & Catering at RuTC, says that masterclasses such as this "provide our students with an excellent opportunity to see first-hand how professionals at the top of the industry work, getting insider guides not only to different techniques but also to how the industry works.”

He says that it is important for students to enter competitions in order to "challenge themselves further and build upon their confidence, as well as develop further industry and employability skills."

Professional Cookery students at Richmond upon Thames College have the opportunity to enter a variety of competitions including the International Salon Culinaire held at the NEC Birmingham, which this year saw the college walk away with three awards. Students also have access to our on-site restaurant, Merits, where they are trained to be the chefs and food service staff of the future.

Find out more about the catering courses available at Richmond upon Thames College.