Cotswold students shake it up (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswold students shake it up

IT was a case of Tom Cruise eat your heart out as youngsters from the Cotswolds had a go at cocktail shaking this week.

Students from Cirencester Deer Park and Farmor's School in Fairford were among 35 pupils taking part in an event at a top Cheltenham hotel.

They had a go at cocktail shaking and tasting desserts to gain some firsthand knowledge of the hospitality industry.

The event was organised by Gloucestershire HEAT - part of Tourism Skills Network South West.

Project co-ordinator Sam Fisher said: "It was a fantastic day and hopefully it will have inspired some young people to go into the industry.

"The chefs put together a range of different cold starters and desserts which the teenagers enjoyed tasting and they also had a go at making cocktails.

"All the teachers and students were raving about how much fun it had been and the staff at the hotel were brilliant."

Her comments were echoed by Fiona king, general manager at the Macdonald Queen's Hotel where the event took place.

She said: "The taster sessions are extremely useful for students and the pupils kept our staff on their toes with lots of interesting questions."