STUDENTS from Coleg Cambria will get the chance to serve up some culinary treats during a training session with an award-winning catering firm.

Around 75 hospitality and catering students from the college's Deeside and Wrexham sites are linking up with the Horseradish group at the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse this week (May 9-11) as part of a new partnership.

The collaboration will offer students the opportunity to work with the company, giving them experience of live events, from weddings and parties to race meetings and large public gatherings.

Paula Wood, Cambria's Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum, said: "The partnership offers a fantastic opportunity for our learners to further develop the skills they have learnt in college and experience the industry first-hand.

"This makes the education that Cambria provides relevant to the real needs of the sector."

Mark Wilcockson, Head of HR at Chester Race Company, added: "We see this project as beneficial not only for the students, but for Chester Race Company as we hope to attract enthusiastic talented individuals with the possibility of employment at the end of the term.”

Students at the college are also getting invaluable on-the-job experience at Wrexham AFC, where they have been working alongside the club's kitchen and service staff on matchdays at the Racecourse ground.

The department has recently celebrated the success of its own restaurants, Y Celstryn and Hafod, which were lauded by the AA recently.

Hafod, on the Yale campus in Wrexham, achieved a highly commended rosette and was recognised as a centre of excellence for food and beverage service, while Y Celstryn at Deeside achieved a rosette award.

Andy Woods, Cambria's Deputy Director of Hospitality and Catering, added: "This new partnership with Horseradish is the icing on the cake, giving students vital experience with one of the UK's top catering and events companies."