FOXES Academy hospitality students teamed up with top chefs at Clevedon Hall near Bristol last Monday (February 3) to highlight the benefits of employing young people with learning disabilities in the industry.

The evening, attended by over 100 guests, raised over £14,000 for The Springboard Charity, which helps unemployed people of all abilities and backgrounds to get sustainable jobs in the hospitality industry.

Cocktails were made for the guests by former Foxes student Tom Hawkins, who teamed up with Massimiliano Terrile, bars manager from The Waldorf Hilton.

Julie Baker, vice-president of operations for Hilton in the UK and Ireland also gave a speech sharing the inspiring stories of Foxes students now employed in their hotels.

Among those working with Foxes students were Great British Bake Off semi- finalist 2018 Briony May, Bristol community hero and Michelin Star chef at the Pony and Trap Josh Eggleton, executive chef at The Castle Liam Finnegan, PR and development chef at Brend Hotels Dez Turland, head chef at The Beach at Bude Jamie Coleman, head chef at Clevedon Hall Alex Thompson and Michelin Star chef at The Olive Tree in Bath Chris Cleghorn.

Clevedon Hall’s team worked alongside the students serving five courses to the highest standards.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said: “Foxes Academy is leading the way in supporting young people with learning disabilities to gain the necessary skills and confidence to secure paid work.”

Overall sponsor was caterer.com, and food sponsors included the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Arthur David, Martin Frobisher’s, Kingfisher Brixham, Step and Stone, Town and Country Fine Foods and Wickwar Wessex Brewery.

The full report and more pictures in this week’s Free Press (February 14).