A CATERING trip to Belgium proved to be a tasty treat for two budding chefs.
Darlington College culinary skills students Nathan Maughan and Nathan Warriner ended up working in two top restaurants inspiring them in their future careers.
Nathan Maughan, 20, of Newton Aycliffe, was offered a job after working for two weeks in the Brussels restaurant Vitium.
“It was such an eye-opener seeing how people live and work abroad,” he said. “I worked on starters and preparation and no-one spoke English, even though they sang along to the likes of Rihanna and knew all the words.
“Everyone was really nice and on the last day I met the owner who had worked in Scotland. He said it would be great if I came to work for him. It was a brilliant offer but I’m aiming to work on cruise ships around Asia. I’d also like to be head chef or run my own restaurant one day so I could develop my own dishes.”
Nathan Warriner, 18, of Crook, was given the opportunity to work at Racines, a Michelin Guide restaurant specialising in Italian and French cuisine.
“It was an incredible place with fabulous food and lovely staff,” he said. “I worked on desserts, pastry and pasta. I feel I learned an incredible amount and had an amazing time. I also experienced a different culture, great markets and different food. The chocolate, waffles and frites were great.
“I loved it and want to move to France for a few years as it’s the pastry powerhouse of the world. My nana makes wedding and birthday cakes and I used to help her. Then at primary school I joined the cooking club and at secondary studied hospitality and catering before joining Darlington College, which has been fantastic. My dream is to have my own patisserie in this country, or perhaps France or Germany.”
Darlington College lecturer Dawn Cobb-Neate said: “The Belgium trip was an amazing opportunity for the students to experience life in another country and different working practices. Both Nathans made good use of their time, learned a great deal and have been left inspired.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.