Smithdon High School students experience life as professional chefs in College of West Anglia Novus restaurant takeover

A group of students got to step in the shoes of a professional chef as they took over a college restaurant.

Students from Smithdon High School had the unique opportunity to step into the fast-paced world of professional cookery as a part of an exciting event where they took over the College of West Anglia’s Novus restaurant.

Designed to give GCSE food technology students a real-world insight into working in a professional kitchen and restaurant, the experience allowed them to take on the roles of both chefs and front-of-house staff for the day.

The immersive event saw students spend an afternoon working in the state-of-the-art Novus kitchens at the College of West Anglia, where they prepared a three-course meal under the guidance of industry-trained chefs.

In the evening, they showcased their skills by taking over Novus Restaurant, where they served their creations to invited parents and guests, offering them a true taste of the hospitality industry.

Throughout the day, students developed key culinary skills, working with fresh, high-quality ingredients and equipment, while also learning the importance of teamwork, time management and attention to detail.

In addition to preparing and plating dishes, they set up the restaurant and waited on tables, gaining hands-on experience in both kitchen operations and front-of-house service.

The 2025 School Takeover Menu challenged students to create a variety of impressive dishes including pressed ham hock with lemon pea salsa, confit lamb served with wild garlic gnocchi, herb-crusted cod and new season potatoes, salted caramel fondant and lemon cheesecake.

In the evening each student had the chance to invite two guests to dine at the Novus Restaurant to highlight the skills that they had learnt throughout the day.

The event also provided an invaluable taster of the training and opportunities available for those considering studying hospitality and catering at the College of West Anglia.

Mrs Stewart, food technology teacher from Smithdon High School, said: “This is a great opportunity for the students to see an industrial kitchen, focus on preparing food, types of equipment and different ingredients.”