At Havant & South Downs College, we have a number of highly skilled, dedicated and passionate teaching staff.
These lecturers go above and beyond to help our students reach their full potential.
We want to shout about these integral members of our HSDC community, so every month we will be finding out about the people behind our teaching excellence with our ‘Staff in the Spotlight’ feature.
This month we are looking at Iain Baillie who works on the South Downs Campus as the Craft Academy Programme Coordinator.
Name?
Iain Baillie
Position at HSDC?
Craft Academy Programme Coordinator
How long have you worked at the College?
Seventeen years
What are your main roles within the College?
Management and coordination of the Angela Hartnett Culinary Academy and resourcing of craft catering programmes in line with the Colleges initiative to increase growth and commercial activity of The College Restaurant.
Why did you choose the subject that you teach?
Professional cookery was my background prior to becoming a teacher.
What was your journey/training before coming to HSDC?
I commenced a three and half year Apprenticeship whilst attending College on a day release basis. On completion I moved to London and started work at the Four Seasons, Inn on the Park. After three years I moved to Jersey to commence work at Longueville Manor, stints at Gravetye Manor and Inverlochy Castle followed finally ending up at The Castle Hotel in Taunton.
What is the highlight of your role at HSDC?
Watching my students succeed at College then progressing into a really good job within the Hospitality and Catering industry.
What kind of careers have your students gone on to do?
Past students have become commis chefs through to head chefs at establishments such as Lime Wood Hotel, Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant, Head Chef at Murano, head chef at The Modern Pantry, head chef at The Quality Chop House, head chef St John, sous chef at Roux Restaurants and various chefs positions within Exclusive Hotels.
What kind of opportunities are students offered on your course?
Students have the opportunity to participate in various trips and visits to local country house hotels and properties in London. They have the chance to develop their own Head Chef event within the College Restaurant and have opportunities to work alongside Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder at any one of her restaurant businesses. There is also the opportunity to progress onto Exclusive Hotels ‘Exclusive Chefs Academy’ or pretty much anywhere they would like to go!
What your students say about you?
Alumni Henry Smith said: “Iain is always there to help you. He always pushes for students to have a better future and put his trust in students like me to help get us amazing jobs once we left College.
“My current head chef, Oscar Holgado, of Murano – Angela Hartnett’s Michelin starred restaurant – is also a former pupil of Iain’s from 10 years ago and I know he would say the same as I have about Iain!”
Read more: Iain Baillie wins ‘Inspirational Tutor’ award.