The first series of workshops
in 2008 focused on food hygiene and prepararation, with the opportunity
for clients to gain the national Level 1 Award in "Food Safety in
Catering", awarded from The Chartered Institute of Environmental
Health. Working in competing teams - the Green Peppers vs the Red
Tomatoes - clients had fun learning not only about food hygiene
and food preparation but also addressing the PASTEL desired outcomes
of building their self-esteem and confidence and gaining skills
in communicating, decision making
and team work.
After the classroom theory in plenary
session, the teams break up and while one is taking part
in a food quiz, the other team...
is in the kitchen getting a briefing from
the Head Chef.
The first task is washing hands in the
dedicated hand-washing bowl to significantly reduce bacteria
on the hands before handling food.
Next is to discuss the required output
and agree roles and responsibilities
Then comes the "gowning up" with disposable
aprons to reduce bacteria on clothes reaching the food.
While the sausages have gone in the pan,
it's time to prepare the mashed potato
It's time for the team to gather round
and be reminded of CAYG - clear as you go!
The micro-waved peas go onto the plates
to be followed by the fried tomatoes.
Using a food thermometer with the sausages
to ensure that they have reached a high enough temperature
to destroy foodborne bacteria.
And finally the dish of sausages, mashed
potato tomatoes and peas is plated up ready to serve...
After all the food preparation
and cooking exercises and the food-themed drama, fun and
games, it was time for revision...
Clients took their work seriously, studying
with their personal copies of "A Begiineers's Guide to Food
Safety", in preparation for their exam.
On the day, ten clients opted to take
the exam and six passed Following a re-sit later in the
year a further 3 passed - making a total of 9 passes out
of 13 taking the exam- a great result!
Fired up with enthusiasm
our clients jumped at the opportunity to run their own restaurant
and put their new found knowledge and skills into a live scenario!
PASTEL arranged for the
hire of a community hall on Saturday, December 20th (2008) to run
our first lunchtime restaurant - "Ristorante Pastella" . This was
publicised and open to the public on a first-come, first-served
basis (advance bookings only).
Our team of clients prepared
and served a five-course meal for 45 covers. There was a suggested
donation at the end of the event of £5 per customer, as a
contribution to our costs.
The restaurant was set up
in the Market Hall, High Street, Saxmundham and the doors opened
up for customers at mid-day, with the first course being served
from12.30pm.
Water and squash were available
on the day, but adults were free to bring their own wine or beer,
if they wished, with corkage and glasses were supplied.
The day was supported by
trained and experienced tutors, all experienced caters. This challenge
helped to consolidate PASTEL clients' learning of hygiene and safety,
food preparation techniques and basic cooking skills - in an innovative
and fun way!
Ristorante
Pastella
Menu
Antipasti
(selection
of starters)
Primo
ZUPPA DEL
GIORNO
(selection
between 2 soups of the day)
Secondo
TACCHINO
TONNATO con INSALATA ROSSA
(turkey
with tuna sauce and red salad)
CASTAGNACCIO
CON SPINACI
(Chestnut
and Spinach Loaf)
Dolce
PANETTONE
E PANDORO CON CREMA DI CIOCCOLATO
(traditional
Italian Christmas cake with chocolate cream)
Caffe
(coffee)
Buon
appetito !
And
finally, here is a short video of the event...
The
PASTEL team working in the restaurant were:
Daniel
Dominic
Gemma
Jamie
Mark
The
PASTEL team working in the kitchen were:
Andrea
Billy
Darren
James
PASTEL
team members who had completed the course but went down with
flu on the day were:
Mathew
Thomas
Mike
Tom
The
PASTEL team were trained and supported by Hannah, Helen &
Pietro.
For customer and
parent/carer feedback on the event, please see below...
December
08
There were 45 guests
- a mixture of parent/carers and the general public, as it
was promoted in the local press.
"You all did very well yesterday… you should be
very proud! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the food was
fantastic."
"I enjoyed the meal on Saturday The hall looked Christmassy
the tables set out well.The staff looked smart and clean,
always important with food."
"We enjoyed this event very much, friendly, relaxed and
above all the food was excellent. It must have taken a lot
of courage for the clients to come out and be a waiter/waitress
- so well done to them."
“(Our son) enjoyed being a Chef in the Kitchen and was
thrilled when Helen said he was top Chef, and through his
own iniitiative was busy preparing the food and getting it
out on time. There were nearly 50 covers to do and seemed
hectic in the kitchen, as a few helpers had flu. This did
not deter (our son) in fact it gave him more confidence to
try and achieve things on his own. (He) said although he was
very tired, he would love to try again. This means a great
deal to us as a family to see (him) confident and happy. Where
else would you get this kind of life experience? Thank you
to Don, Helen and all others involved. A big thumbs up from
us and especially (our son)!"
"I just wanted to let you know how (our son) expressed
how he felt about the restaurant experience. He was delighted
that he was able to participate in the day quite independently
from Mum and Dad and to be doing something for us (as it is
usually us 'doing' for him). He said he really enjoyed helping
run the restaurant and watching us have a nice time."
"We were delighted to see (our son) taking on responsibilities.
We were also impressed how well he was able to follow specific
instructions and carry out his duties. The look of pride on
his face was priceless!! We hope he will have this opportunity
again as the group all appeared to thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Staff were helpful and polite, true service with a smile!
Well done everyone."
"Just to say how much we enjoyed the PASTEL lunch. We
couldn't believe how you had all turned a large impersonal
space into such a warm, attractive and relaxed restaurant.
We enjoyed the meal very much and appreciate how hard you
all worked. I am sure it is an experience the PASTEL group
will remember with pride and happiness for a long time to
come as well as confidence for future projects and personal
development."
"(My son) really enjoyed the restaurant. He seemed to
like waiting on the tables and talking to everyone (one of
his favourite activities)! He wasn't so keen on the washing-up,but
I don't think he has ever seen so much! Everyone looked like
they were having a good time and enjoying the food which was
very good.I certainly would be there again if a similar activity
was arranged."
"(Our son) was a little overwhelmed at the start of the
meal but quickly relaxed and went into overdrive waiting on
tables and interacting with the diners. He enjoyed himself
so much, showing off to his family, that, at the end, he was
raring to repeat the role! The event itself was thoroughly
enjoable with a lovely ambience, and it was good to see all
the team working together and displaying their abilities to
a public audience."
"From being greeted so warmly at the door, shown to our
seats and waited on, the ‘staff' were very attentive
and we enjoyed the food too. GREAT when is the next one?"
"Well done to all of you involved in Ristorante Pastella.
We enjoyed the whole experience very much; The cafe atmosphere,
superb food, great service with so many smiling faces! Most
importantly everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves.
The PASTEL clients especially should feel very proud of themselves."
additional messages of support...
"Well done to everyone connected with the Ristorante
Pastella project. It looked super and you had plenty of people
there too. A great enterprise and something I am sure that
all those involved will remember for a long time to come."
Cllr.Doreen Savage, portflio holder for Customers & Partners
including young people and social inclusion), Suffolk Coastal
District Council.
"Congratulations on a first class result from the Pastel
Restaurant day. I very much enjoyed the video - well done
to everyone, particularly the young participants." Cllr.
Marian Andrews, Saxmundham Town Council & Suffolk Coastal
District Councillor for Saxmundham.
To
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cursor over the bottom part of the video frame until the pop-up
control panel appears and then either click on the respective
start/stop button or drag the moving cursor on the control
panel, backwards or forwards. Wait a second or two for the
video to start streaming and please make sure your sound is
on and turned up...
