*Video* Students Cook Up Vegetarian Feast for Climate Change

Students and staff from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) cooked up a vegetarian feast as part of the Climate Change Local Action programme, which was organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council and North Down Museum.

The pop-up, meat free dining experience, hosted in North Down Museum consisted of a four-course vegetarian meal prepared by students from the Level 2 and 3 Professional Cookery programmes, with service provided by the Level 2 and 3 Food and Beverage Service and Ulster University Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with Specialisms.

Paul Mercer, Deputy Head of Hospitality and Catering at SERC said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to work in partnership with the Council and the Museum to showcase their repertoire for meat-free dining.   Patrons enjoyed a delicious meal which included nori poached tofu, roasted celeriac velouté, garlic and chili polenta, cauliflower shawarma taco and finished with windfall apples and a salted caramel mousse."

He added, “We have had tremendous feedback from everyone who came along.   The evening provided the opportunity not only to enjoy the meal, but a chance to think about changes people can make for climate change - it really was a case of food for thought.”

Level 3 Professional Cookery students (main picture above) Rory Watson and Maisa Muir, both from Bangor, gave a live demonstration of some of the dishes during the evening.       

Heather McGuicken, North Down Museum Manager, said, “Vegetarian Night at the Museum was a wonderful collaboration between North Down Museum and SERC.  The menu was creative and showcased the main star of the night – vegetables, perfectly.  The food was wonderfully prepared and served and the demonstrations gave an added special touch to the evening.  The night was one of my favourite events we have held here at the Museum, and the staff and students from SERC were so hardworking, professional and a pleasure to work with. We have had some fantastic feedback from diners at the event and we were delighted to include such a high-quality experience on our Climate Change Local Action programme.”  

Come along to our Full Time Open Evening on Wednesday 9 March 4.00 – 7.00pm in Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards. Unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.