Riverbank Restaurant reopened by Mayor and Mayoress after refurbishment

On Tuesday 23 October 2018, the Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford Borough, Counsellors Ray and Jenny Baron, visited Stafford College’s, AA College Rosette and multi award winning, The Riverbank Restaurant, for its official reopening following a £50K refurbishment.

Several members of Stafford College staff were in attendance on the night to celebrate the official reopening, along with local butcher and supplier of The Riverbank Restaurant’s meat produce, Stephen Hill, of Perrys of Eccleshall, and family and friends of the College’s students.

Arriving guests were greeted with complimentary Canapés and Prosecco on the restaurant’s balcony, before hearing from Stafford College’s Assistant Principal, Carl Riding, who gave an overview of the Riverbank Restaurant and its significance for students and staff within NSCG, followed by the official cutting of the ribbon by the Mayor.

Guests were then able to sample the new five course taster menu which compromised of the following:

Pressed Chicken Rillette, Apple Jelly and Pickled Walnuts

Cumin Roasted Squash Soup, Granola and Curry Oil

Crab Cakes and Pineapple Salsa

Slow Cooked Beef Shin, Baby Vegetables and a Red Wine Sauce

Eton Mess Doughnuts

Tom Harrison, Hospitality Lecturer at Stafford College and Head Chef on the night, led a team of Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Cookery students to prepare the dishes which were then served to dining guests by Level 3 Hospitality & Leadership students. Tom said, “All of the students give 100% and take on the departments vison to maintain the high standards we have set ourselves. In 2015 we successfully won our first College Rosette and have retained this industry recognised award. This year we have introduced a taster menu where the students have produced food that has been described by customers as Michelin star standard, it was a pleasure to lead the student kitchen team on the relaunch evening, the students worked tirelessly to ensure all customers are left with a memorable experience.”

Richard Allan, Hospitality Lecturer and Restaurant Manager at Stafford College said, “The Riverbank Restaurant has been open for almost six years now and is an integral part of our students journey’s in becoming fully trained and qualified Chef’s and Restaurant Supervisors within the Catering & Hospitality industry. We strive to offer the very best food and drinks service available within Stafford town, setting very high standards for our students so that they are fully prepared for the industry.”

The Riverbank Restaurant provides an unrivalled dining experience within Stafford Town centre. Situated overlooking Victoria Park, in a high quality, purpose designed contemporary style dining room, our AA College Rosette award winning restaurant is staffed entirely by hospitality and catering students at Stafford College.

The Riverbank Restaurant is open to the public for lunch and dinner on a Tuesday and lunch on a Wednesday and Friday, with all meals being prepared daily by the College’s students, using top-quality fresh ingredients cooked and presented to fine dining standards.

To book a table at The Riverbank Restaurant call 01785 275481 or to find out more about studying a Hospitality and Catering course or apprenticeship at Stafford College click here, email info.stafford@nscg.ac.uk or call 01785 223800.