HOSPITALITY students are ‘taking over’ a Dales hotel for two days in February.

The students, from Cheshire College South & West, will be responsible for running the Devonshire Fell Hotel in Burnsall, including reception and guest check in, room service, preparing seasonal dishes, serving food and running the bar.

Overseen by hotel staff, they will gain practical experience of managing and working a small, busy hotel, complementing their college-based knowledge and skills training.

As well as supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals, the initiative is aimed at raising the profile of the industry, which has suffered in recent years due to factors including Brexit and the pandemic.

The two-day takeover, on February 6 and 7, is the result of a project hatched by John Holden, Food and Beverage Lecturer at Cheshire College South & West, and Richard Palmer, managing director of Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants. The students, who are studying Level 2 and 3 Professional Cookery and Level 3 Food and Beverage Service, Hospitality Supervision.

John Holden, who does front of house training in the college’s Academy Restaurant, said: “To work in a well-regarded hotel such as the Devonshire Fell really helps to equip our learners with the knowledge and skills they will require for employment. The hotel takeover will be an invaluable experience and I’m sure guests will enjoy the novelty of having talented students working hard to provide them with a memorable stay. They’ve had hands-on practise as our facilities include a 2AA Rosette and a AA Rosette standard Academy restaurant.”

Richard Palmer added: “We are delighted to be inviting Cheshire College students for this hands-on learning experience. Our team are looking forward to providing on the job training and sharing their knowledge and experience. I can relate very much to how this will benefit the students as I started with the company as a trainee in my late teens.

“I hope the experience will empower the students to embrace all that the hospitality has to offer and maybe become hooked just I did!”

Guests are invited to participate in this experience for a discounted price of £75 per person including accommodation, a la carte dinner and breakfast. Chef students have participated in a Master Chef style cook-off to determine the three course menus on offer, overseen by the hotel’s Head Chef, Ollie Edwards who, with hotel general manager Nikki Haddow, judged the dishes.

The ‘Hotel Takeover’ complements the Group’s Devonshire Hospitality Academy, now in its second year, giving new starters a grounding for a hospitality career in its hotels and inns across Yorkshire and Derbyshire.