Five-Star Visit for SERC Students

SERC Catering and Hospitality team were delighted to welcome Kelly-Ann McKay, People and Culture Manager from the five-star Ashford Castle, in Cong, County Mayo on a visit to SERC Downpatrick Campus.

Ms McKay was visiting SERC Downpatrick Campus on the invitation of Catering and Hospitality Lecturer Michelle McCarthy who said, “Myself and a colleague were lucky enough to have spent 2 days at the hotel last summer as part of a professional development training programme  funded by Erasmus+ HE Mobility programme supported by the European Commission.   It was a brilliant opportunity to work one-to-one with Pierre Mare-Faux who is the head sommelier and currently 9th sommelier in the world

“On our return, we were keen that our students from a range of disciplines, could hear first-hand about work placements and employment opportunities at the world famous Ashford Castle which is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a family owned group of hotels around the world renowned for impeccable service and hospitality.

Michelle said, “Ms McKay gave a great insight to life and work at Ashford Castle to students from the Level 3 Diploma in Travel & Tourism, VRQ Level 2 Food & Beverage, Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Management, VRQ Level 2 Culinary Arts and Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery. 

She added, “We are working with Ashford Castle to offer work placements for SERC students which will give them the edge when applying for jobs in the hospitality and tourism  industries.”