Our Level 3 Professional Cookery students in Tonbridge have made it to the Southern regional finals of the Student Team Chef Challenge 2011 to be held at Westminster Kingsway College on the 29th January 2011.

The 2011 theme of ‘Counting the Cost’ will showcase the best of our British cooking whilst using Kentish foods locally sourced.

The national challenge, which has been running since 1993, encourages teams to develop real life catering skills by focusing on accurate costing and sourcing local ingredients, and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and teamwork skills in producing a three-course meal for four covers at a cost of no more than £12 per head. Good luck for the regionals!

Samuelson Obigbesan, known to everyone as Sam Obi, who studies on our Level 3 Business Studies course through Dorton College (a college for blind and visually impaired students), auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent last Saturday.

He won’t know the result of the audition until after Christmas but his story has already been picked up by BBC’s South East Today as Sam very nearly didn’t make it to the audition due to the snow. Stranded at Dorton College in Sevenoaks, Sam made a plea on Radio Kent. Just hours later a volunteer offered to get him there and the audition took place as scheduled. So watch this space for the results – you’ll hear it here first!

Dover students from Level 1 ICT and Health and Care raised £100 making and selling cakes for Age Concern. They used the money to buy gifts including chocolates and toiletries which they presented to members at the local branch.

The Youth Access students in Dover are completing a Santa Fun Run this Friday 17^th December. Running along Dover seafront towards the pier, the students will be raising money for Cancer Research UK. If anyone would like to donate there will be charity pots around the Dover campus, in Food and Go and the Learning Centre, and staff at the New Start Centres in Folkestone and Ashford will also be collecting.

On Thursday 16th December there will be a performance of Dick Whittington and Variety Acts by the First Diploma and Year 1 Extended Diploma Performing Arts students from Folkestone campus. Don’t miss out on this double bill of fabulous and festive entertainment. The Hall at K College, Folkestone. 2.30pm for K College students and staff only (free!) and 7pm open to the public. Tickets: £3 for adults, £1.50 for students, free for the under 12s.

Also on Thursday 16th December, you can join our Performing Arts students in Media & Arts Centre, Tonbridge, for an exciting seasonal offering of dance, musical theatre and acting. 2pm is a free matinee to anyone and 7.30pm is the evening show where tickets will be available on the door: £5 for adults, £3 concessions.