Three college restaurants have been shortlisted for the AA Restaurant Guide 2017 College Restaurant of the Year Award, sponsored by People 1st, following a day of judging held at the Lancaster London on Monday, 6 June.

The three shortlisted finalists are:

• Foxholes Restaurant - Runshaw College
• The Atrium - University College Birmingham
• The Brasserie - Milton Keynes College

Martine Pullen, director of membership and consulting at People 1st said: “Working in partnership with the AA on this inaugural award has given our accredited colleges an additional opportunity to be recognised for the excellent work done in their restaurants and the dedication of the lecturer and student teams that run them.

“We are delighted that this award has generated so much interest and were impressed by the extremely high quality of entries across the colleges. Well-deserved congratulations to everyone that took part.”

Students and lecturers from People 1^st accredited colleges and those that have been awarded an AA College Rosette competed in a day-long series of activities at the Lancaster London hotel. These included creating a balanced menu, designing a cocktail recipe and an interview by a panel of judges. Colleges were also asked to produce a 90 second video advert to promote their college restaurant.

In addition, participants were treated to an inspirational talk by Jason Atherton, as well as an in-depth behind-the-scenes tour of the Lancaster London hotel with manager, Florian Broemel, and executive chef, Ben Purton.

Garry Baldwin, senior hotel and restaurant inspector with the AA, said: “The students and lecturers involved have shown an incredible drive and enthusiasm to showcase their college restaurants, which made the judges decisions really tough. The quality of entries proves that the recognition from this award is essential to highlight the incredible work that colleges do in providing excellent learning environments for future generations of hospitality professionals.”

Sean Wheeler, chair of the People 1st accreditation panel and director of people development at Project 1898, added: “The passion that the students have shown us today has highlighted just how important it is for us as industry professionals to work in partnership with accredited colleges. The food and service that they consistently produce is incredible and the learning environments created by these colleges are just fantastic. I have been left in no doubt that the industry is in safe hands for the next generation, I cannot wait to see the careers of these young people flourish.”

The winner of the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award will be announced at the AA Hospitality Awards held on 26 September, 2016 at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

The AA College Restaurant of the Year Award has been developed by the AA, in partnership with People 1st, to recognise accredited colleges within the AA College Rosette Scheme that have shown outstanding achievements in a realistic working environment.

The AA College Rosette Scheme was designed to recognise the efforts of students, both front and back of house who are the future of our hospitality industry.