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Staff in the Spotlight: Laura Skye

September 28, 2018

Laura Skye square

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 recognising Laura Skye who is a Chef Lecturer at the College.

How long have you worked at the College?
I have been teaching for 19 years within the Catering and Hospitality department.

What are your main responsibilities at the College?
I am a Level 2 tutor in Craft Catering, teaching in a busy realistic environment within the kitchen and restaurant areas.

Why did you choose the subject that you teach?
I had worked in the catering industry as a chef, restaurant manager and restaurant owner. It has always been my passion to cook and when I was given the opportunity to teach and share these skills with students I jumped at the chance.

What was your journey/training before coming to HSDC?
Prior to coming to HSDC I studied at South Downs College and gained my cookery and food service qualifications, then studied for my HND in Hospitality Management. I worked within the industry for many years as a chef, restaurant manager, in contract catering and finally became a partner in a restaurant in Petersfield. My old tutor persuaded me to teach a session a week and I haven’t look back since. I taught and gained my teaching qualifications at South Downs College.

Do you practice the subject you teach outside of work? 
I make celebration cakes for family and friends and cook all the time with my children.

What is the highlight of your role at HSDC?
My highlight is seeing the students develop their skills over the year and become confident and professional individuals.

What kind of careers have your students gone on to do?
Students have gone on to work in top class restaurants, working with professional chefs like Angela Hartnett, Gordon Ramsey, Anna Hansen and Peter Weeden.

What is something about your job that people don’t know about?
I am the current holder of the French Apple Flan competition!

What kind of opportunities are students offered on your course?
Students are offered excellent work placements which lead to exciting job offers within the industry.

What three words would your students use to describe you?
Approachable, enthusiastic and short!