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Maintaining and improving provision and quality with reduced funding is the stark reality and challenge faced by the hospitality and culinary education sector, and the theme of the PACE (Professional Association for Catering Education) Conference Exhibition 2012: Entrepreneur – Enterprise in our Curriculum, 21-23 March 2012, Hilton Blackpool.

PACE is committed to supporting its members during these difficult economic times, and through its conference – the UK’s biggest dedicated to catering education – it will offer solutions, guidance, innovations, new perspectives and training to inspire delegates to think differently and smartly, and be altogether more enterprising in the management and delivery of hospitality and culinary education.

The PACE Conference & Exhibition 2012 is a must-attend event for everyone responsible for hospitality and culinary education – including all further- and higher-education colleges and universities offering hospitality qualifications, secondary school hospitality teachers, awarding bodies and training providers.

The learning and development forum offers a comprehensive programme of workshops, masterclasses, presentations by sector experts, networking sessions and a supplier exhibition. Time-pressured delegates will have the opportunity to get the inside track on the latest topics, trends, government legislation and funding developments affecting them. They will also be able to share insights and ideas with peers and learn about product and services advances – all in just two days!

The PACE Conference & Exhibition 2012 also presents a real opportunity for suppliers to the hospitality industry. PACE members account for a significant amount of expenditure and purchases across food, beverages, catering equipment, training materials and service agreements, and exhibitors will benefit from being in the company of the decision makers from catering colleges, universities and schools across the country.

Highlights for the 2012 event include the Front of House Demonstration Theatre, where baristas, flarers and sommeliers will be demonstrating the art of their profession; the Culinary Demonstration Theatre, featuring top industry chefs giving masterclasses on curriculum subjects; and inspiring presentations by respected industry experts. The post-16 Education and Training agenda guru, Ainsley Cheetham, is returning, by popular demand, to give his visionary take on funding and commercial opportunities, for example, whilst chief executive of Adande, Nigel Bell, will be talking about World Skills, London in his presentation ‘Have A Go Project.

Hot topics on the agenda for PACE Conference & Exhibition 2012:

·         Funding Methodology

·         Entrepreneurship, Enterprise & Education

·         Entrepreneurship & Online Business Networking

·         Entrepreneurship, Colleges and the Curriculum

·         Entrepreneurship, FE & Skills

·         World Skills Legacy: ‘Have a go Project’

Inspirational live masterclasses will cover:

·         Induction Equipment: Cooking & Benefits

·         Speciality Cheeses

·         Premium Sausage Making

·         Chocolate Skills

·         Authentic American BBQ using Sous Vide

·         High End Indian Cuisine

·         Food & Wine Paring

·         Mixology

Geoff Booth, Chief Executive, PACE comments:

The funding cuts that have been blighted hospitality and catering education institutions have made it incredibly difficult for managers, lecturers and teachers to operate as we would wish to. We can only hope that this is an unintended consequence of a widespread approach by government to solving the economic crisis we face in the UK. The PACE Conference & Exhibition 2012 has been specifically designed to empower delegates to respond creatively to these tough times. Delegates will be given the ideas, knowledge and inspiration to approach the tasks ahead a little differently, to make the funding they have go further, whilst continuing to maintain and improve on the exceptional standards provided by training providers within UK Hospitality training sector. In effect, we are aiming to replace what is being removed by funding issues with creativity, ingenuity and agility.

For further information about the PACE 2012 Exhibition and Conference and to book delegate tickets or exhibition space go to www.mcculloughmoore.co.uk/pace or call 0870 777 9566

The Edge Hotel School will provide both quality practical and vocational learning and a quality hotel experience for guests. The Edge Hotel School is the first of its kind in the UK to offer students the opportunity to become the next industry leaders learning alongside industry experts whilst gaining a degree level qualification.

The Problem

Demand for work ready, talented, skilled workers is an increasing need of employers, especially to help them remain competitive in a tough economic climate.

The demand is particularly high in the hospitality industry where industry experts feel that graduates entering the workforce have little or no practical experience. Hospitality students need to have the experience and expertise to ensure they are professional, inspirational, confident and motivated in a workplace environment.

The Government is fully supportive of ensuring that students combine work and study.

Young people are also aware that in order to standout in a crowded employment market, high class skills are more important than ever before in ensuring they make the most of the many paths to success available.

The Edge Hotel School

The Edge Hotel School is a unique concept which will provide high levels of training and education in a world class facility, based on the model of a commercially sustainable hotel.

The Edge Hotel School is a partnership between Edge, the independent education foundation, the University of Essex and Kaplan, both leaders in the hospitality industry.

The Edge Hotel School offers people 18 years and over the opportunity to become future leaders of hospitality by working in a fully functioning hotel learning from industry experts whilst gaining a degree level qualification.

The Edge Hotel School qualifications are accredited by the University of Essex. The Edge Hotel School will open in Spring 2012 and is in a Grade II listed building. Historic Wivenhoe House, in Essex will be restored to its Georgian & Victorian splendour through a £10 million investment. The hotel would be 4* in terms of the physical facilities, but 5* in terms of the aspirations

The Benefits

The Edge Hotel School will provide both quality practical and vocational learning and a quality hotel experience for guests.

The Edge Hotel School will see students learning by doing in a fully controlled operational hotel, where students are the staff under supervision from industry experts.

The Edge Hotel School is a full integration of theory and practice and allows students to draw upon real life commercial experience.

Benefits to Students

Fast Track courses – opportunities to complete degrees in two years
Developed leadership and management skills
Subsidised accommodation and food on duty helps reduce potential student expenses

Benefits to the Hospitality Industry

The first UK Hotel School of its kind
Curriculum developed with industry to meet the needs of industry
Professional practitioners enter the workforce

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