Truro and Penwith College has become one of only a handful from across the UK to have achieved highly commended ratings for its public restaurants as part of a national award scheme.

Staff and students at Senara Restaurant, Penwith College were delighted to discover they had the highly commended AA College Rosette renewed for a second year while Spires Restaurant, Truro College achieved the award for the first time. Highly commended is the highest possible level of the award and is awarded following a detailed visit by restaurant inspectors.

The AA College Rosette scheme has been designed to mirror the current industry recognised programme, and as such, the criteria for achieving the award are strict.

Award criteria include that the restaurant is serving food prepared with care, is using good quality ingredients, that the learning environment and restaurant are of the best quality and that it can compete well within a true restaurant environment including highly polished service levels and clear support from lecturers.

Jaime Gaspare, head of professional cookery and hospitality at Penwith College, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this recognised status for the second year as it reflects the high standards that we work to both in the kitchen and the restaurant. We hope that this will increase employment opportunities for student graduating from our programmes because our accredited status means the industry recognises that we train students in the skills employers need and give confidence to young people considering entering the industry to train with us.”

Hayley McKinstry, programme team leader at Truro College, said: “I am delighted that the team has received this highly commended rosette. We expect the highest standards and a positive learning attitude from the students who regularly work alongside well-known guest chefs where they need to be focused and skilled to keep up in the busy kitchen environment. We already have a large number of apprentices in workplaces across the county who have already benefited from our commercial learning environment. The rosette reflects not only our excellent teaching and learning but also the guest experience which is very pleasing all round.”

Both college restaurants are open to the public during the day and some evenings. For details visit truro-penwith.ac.uk