London School of Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Dinner

On Thursday 30 April 2015, the London School of Hospitality and Tourism welcomed alumni and friends back to campus for the fourth Alumni Dinner.

Held in the University’s award-winning restaurant, Pillars, the event is a highlight in the School’s calendar, giving guests the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the previous year and to network with fellow graduates, as well as enjoy an extraordinary culinary experience.

Guests were treated to an exceptional four course meal served and cooked by students of the London School of Hospitality and Tourism, under the guidance of up-and-coming chefs Alistair Birt, Nicola Bramley, Livio Capillera, Fern Lough, Vikram Rathour and Will Torrent. As recent graduates of the School, these chefs have already been making their mark on the industry in a range of culinary roles. Between them, they have worked in a number of prestigious restaurants, with chefs such as René Redzepi, Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc and Heston Blumenthal, founded an innovative pop-up food company, worked as a Development Chef for Sainsbury’s, and won numerous awards and accolades for their work.  

Their talents were showcased with dishes such as halibut with cauliflower, asparagus, black fungi and tortellini and duck egg with duck leg bonbon, broad bean and pea velouté. The dinner was rounded off with a selection of exquisite petit fours, flavoured with ingredients such as pine, juniper, soy and spices, which were introduced by award-winning chocolatier and alumnus Will Torrent. Speaking to the Alumni Office, guest Steven-Mark Butler said, “The whole meal was absolutely superb. Everyone worked so hard to create a mouth-watering and tantalising meal and the service and delivery of each dish was impeccable.”

As host for the evening, alumnus and Chair of the Alumni Board Alistair Telfer invited guests to make a donation to the London School of Hospitality and Tourism Bursary Fund by entering a special prize draw. Four lucky winners received prizes generously donated by alumni and friends of the School; including an Indian cookery course at Brilliant cookery school, lunch for two at the Michelin starred Waterside Inn, and dinner for two at Pillars Restaurant.

The evening was a great success, raising over £2,000 towards the London School of Hospitality and Tourism Bursary Fund. Thank you to all those who kindly donated towards the Fund, enabling us to support the next generation of hospitality professionals and ensuring excellence within the industry.

If you have not yet had an opportunity to make a donation towards the London School of Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Bursary Fund and would like to lend your support, then you can do so via our online donation form.