The aroma of tomato sauce and spices would soon fill the air, as our group of students from Salzburg arrived at Westminster Kingsway College, the oldest culinary arts college in the UK, where Jamie Oliver once started his career. Welcomed by Head of School Paul Jervis, we were excited to embark on our culinary adventure in London.
From cooking Thai green vegetable curry to making beef chili nachos and Victoria sponge cupcakes, our culinary arts lecturer, Chef Tom Egerton, not only taught us about the ingredients and cooking techniques but also about the cultural influences and traditions behind each dish. Tom, an avid cyclist in his free time who had worked as an executive chef at the prestigious Grosvenor House in Dubai during his international career, brought a vibrant energy to our cooking sessions.
Spending six hours for five days in a row to cook our own lunches and dinners was a hands-on experience that allowed us to acquire new skills and improve our English. After class, we also had the chance to talk to locals and learn about their favourite recipes, which gave us a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. Three of our bravest and most adventurous classmates even decided to rent bikes in their free time and explore the city from a cyclist’s perspective, cycling on the left-hand side all the way to Little Venice.
As we stayed at Wynfrid House in the east of London near Tower Bridge, going to college in Westminster meant that all the major sights were either within walking distance or a short ride on the tube away. All we had to do was get off at a different station every day, and we were able to go and see St Catherine’s Dock, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, or Tate Modern, to mention just a few. This gave us the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the culinary and cultural experiences London had to offer.
At Seven Dials Market, near Covent Garden, we had the opportunity to discover the vibrant food scene managed by the company Kerb. Kerb aims to help street food providers by offering them the right infrastructure and assistance in running a successful business. Assistant General Manager Niamh Robertson and Purpose and Impact Manager Priya Narain warmly welcomed us, introducing us to the diverse range of international foods and to some of the owners of these food start-ups.
During our stay in London, we had the privilege of a show-around and behind-the-scenes tour at Galvin at Windows, a fine dining restaurant and bar located on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane. The breath-taking panoramic views of London added an enchanting backdrop to our culinary exploration. We were delighted to meet General Peter Avis and Deputy General Manager Antonino Forte, who told us about the many opportunities in hospitality and gave us deep insights into the industry.
As we left London, we realized that the trip had been much more than a cooking course. It was a transformative experience that had broadened our perspectives, enriched our taste buds, and created memories that would last a lifetime. London had not only fed our stomachs but also our souls.
Victoria Lell (6b), Sophia Oberhuber (7e), and Bernd Kolator (6e)
Photos: Christian Lutsch
