With construction of the new Inverness College UHI building at Inverness Campus well underway, excitement among students, staff and the local community is building rapidly in anticipation of the big move next summer.
Stuart Stirling, 47, from Inverness, is extremely excited, following his appointment as hospitality manager at Inverness College UHI this summer. Come August 2015 he will be at the helm of a custom-designed industry-standard training kitchen and restaurant that will revolutionise training for the college’s hospitality and professional cookery students.
Stuart’s ambition is to recreate a realistic hotel environment for students by abandoning the traditional classroom and training kitchen combination to run the new facility as a live restaurant for students, staff and visitors. This, he believes, will help students gain the hands-on experience they need to hit the ground running when they enter the hospitality and catering profession.
Stuart joined the college this summer after four years as executive chef at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. Having started his career aged 16 with a youth employment scheme in Edinburgh, he brings with him over 30 years of industry experience, working in some of the busiest kitchens in the country. This makes him a highly valuable asset for students as they prepare for work in hotels and kitchens across Scotland and beyond.
Speaking of his appointment he said: “As a professional chef I learned how important it is to have a good team of able colleagues to support you. People entering the industry today must have the necessary skills as well as experience of what can be a high pressure but rewarding environment.
“There has never been a better time to enter the hospitality industry in the Highlands. The sector is booming, and our reputation as the home for quality food and drink is second to none. What’s more, from summer 2015 those training in the Highlands will be able to do so at the incredible new Inverness College UHI facility at Inverness Campus. I’ve seen the plans and I cannot wait to make the move to the new building next year.”
Diane Rawlinson, principal and chief executive at Inverness College UHI, welcomed Stuart’s arrival at the College. She said: “At Inverness College UHI we pride ourselves on our excellent relationship with the local business community and we are working hard to provide an innovative training environment to build a strong hospitality and tourism workforce for the future.
“With Stuart joining the team as hospitality manager, our students are set to enter the workplace with enviable technical skills as well as the workplace confidence they need to succeed. Hospitality and professional cookery training opens doors that lead to rewarding and incredibly diverse careers both here and abroad. I am delighted that this will have a particular focus at our new campus.”