Skills Week 2025: See what we got up to!

One of the highlights of the week was the Catering and Hospitality team’s Cook and Serve competition. It was judged by experts in the local hospitality scene: Lawrence Jeffries, Head Chef at The Jockey Club; Tom Gallimore, General Manager at Malmaison Hotel du Vin, and Simon Plociennik, Head Chef at Hotel du Vin.

Students worked in teams to a brief, where they got to create a 2-course menu, set the tables and serve their dishes to guests at Cheltenham’s No. 1 Restaurant. They were marked on 19 categories, including knife skills, time management, and presentation. 

Professional Cookery students had an inspiring talk and masterclass with Sam Walker from The BASC. They explored a variety of English game animals and took on the exciting challenge of creating a canapé. Highlights included Partridge Bao Buns, Pheasant Dumplings, and Venison & Pear Tarts.

The winning designs could be served at the prestigious BASC Gala Dinner this March!

Level 2 students at our Forest of Dean campus enjoyed an industry talk and demo session on braiding with hair expert Cheryl Evans. Afterwards they got to try out some techniques and learn a few hints and tips.

We were thrilled to welcome Shane Davis from Dog House Barbers for an inspiring demonstration for our barbering students. Shane showcased his expertise with a high-and-tight skin fade, a go-to technique in the barbering industry while sharing valuable insights into the craft. As a proud ex-student of GC, Shane now runs his own successful business and regularly returns to share his skills and inspire the next generation of barbers.

Mia Louise Luby from Secret Install and House of Halo & Co. came in to visit our barbering students and give a presentation on hair systems for men. These are non-surgical hair replacement systems that are now used within the industry. It was a great in-depth presentation, from consultations with clients to fitting, cutting, removing and replacement procedure. She talked about her experience and training and the taboo that is around the subject. It was fantastic for our barbers to see and really opened their eyes to other opportunities. 

Beauty Therapy students were treated to a demonstration in lip tattooing! Danielle Stewart from Blushed by Danielle visited to give a semi-permanent makeup demonstration and talk about her business journey. Lip blushing is a very popular beauty treatment within the industry, so the students were very lucky to get an insight into how its performed, and the routes to take to add this to their future skill set.

Claire Rickards from Cotswold Beauty Station came along to give a talk and a demonstration of threading. Claire, who was a GC beauty student, talked about her experiences in the industry and how she set up a very successful business in Bredon. The students found this extremely interesting and had a fun time trying to master the ancient art of threading.

Hannah White, training director from Monuskin Skincare, Cheltenham, came in to talk to the students about how she started in the industry. Another previous student, Hannah went on to work as a trainer for various companies but has been with Monu for 18 years.

She gave a demo on the new resurface and pale facial, which is up to date with industry standards.

Some of our Level 3 Beauty students had a go at thermal auricular therapy, better known as ear candling, to help a balance inner ears and chakras. In many countries this is a way of breaking down excessive earwax and helping to re-balance, due to excessive pressure of activities like flying or swimming. This was followed with some well-being time, with students taking part in a meditation to balance chakras.

Some of the students had a great talk with New Swindon College, where they saw a demonstration on applying a wig and some character makeup with prosthetics. As well as a talk about HND courses and hearing some industry insights, the students also got to look at some student work and see props that their students have made for projects.