Held on 9th & 10th June 2025, Mont Rose College
Mont Rose College recently hosted its Hospitality Skills Event on the 9th and 10th of June 2025, providing HND Hospitality Management students with a valuable opportunity to immerse themselves in the practical side of their academic journey. This two-day event was designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application through interactive workshops in restaurant service, bar operations, and front office functions.
From Theory to Practice: Why This Event Matters
The Hospitality Skills Event aimed to equip students with vital technical competencies and soft skills needed in today’s dynamic hospitality industry. Across each workshop, students engaged in real-life scenarios, enhancing their understanding of professional etiquette, teamwork, and customer service excellence. Here’s a closer look at what each session delivered.
Restaurant Service Workshop
Led by Pam, the Restaurant Service Workshop focused on four core areas critical to front-of-house success:
- Basic Table Set-Up: Students learned professional table settings, including proper placement of cutlery, crockery, and glassware.
- Wine Service: A demonstration of correct wine-serving techniques and the etiquette behind each step.
- Food and Beverage Service: Emphasis on serving order, safety, and maintaining consistency across service.
- Roles & Responsibilities in a Restaurant: A detailed look at the key positions within a restaurant and how they function together for seamless guest service.
Student engagement was high throughout, with many participants expressing how helpful it was to apply their theoretical understanding in a hands-on environment.
Bar and Mixology Workshop
Facilitated by Sewedo, the mixology sessions were a standout highlight. Students gained foundational bartending skills, boosting both their technical capabilities and confidence.
Key Components:
- Bar Setup & Equipment Orientation: From cocktail shakers to jiggers and muddlers, students became familiar with essential bar tools and their usage.
- Introduction to Spirits & Liqueurs: Discussions on spirit categories and production methods enriched their product knowledge.
- Mocktail & Cocktail Preparation: Students tried their hand at preparing classic and creative drinks using techniques like shaking, layering, and muddling.
- Bar Closing Procedures: From hygiene protocols to inventory logging, this segment emphasized professionalism and attention to detail.
The mixology workshop also fostered key soft skills—teamwork, communication, and time management—as students collaborated during practical tasks. Roleplay and real-time simulations gave them a true taste of bar operations under pressure.
Front Office Operations Workshop
The Front Office workshop gave students an inside look at one of the most guest-facing areas in hospitality. The session provided an in-depth introduction to reception duties, concierge responsibilities, and complaint handling.
Training Highlights:
- Reception & Check-In Procedures: Students practiced managing bookings, guest profiles, and billing.
- Concierge Services: Emphasis was placed on personalised service, local knowledge, and proactive guest support.
- Handling Guest Complaints: Roleplay scenarios helped students build confidence in diffusing and resolving issues professionally.
- Opera Software Overview: While the system wasn’t available for live use, students explored its key functions conceptually, including reservations, folio management, and room tracking.
- Interdepartmental Coordination: The importance of communication between departments was highlighted through real-world examples and role-based exercises.
Students took on the roles of receptionists, concierges, guests, and porters, gaining firsthand insight into the pressure and professionalism required in front office roles. Many reported it was their first experience acting out these responsibilities, making it a deeply valuable learning moment.
Impact and Student Reflections
Across all sessions, the event achieved its goal: to prepare students for employment in the hospitality sector by reinforcing theory with practice.
Students walked away with:
- Increased confidence using industry-standard tools and protocols.
- Enhanced understanding of service etiquette and professional communication.
- A better grasp of how departments function together in real hospitality settings.
- Greater awareness of how theory translates into customer satisfaction, safety, and team efficiency.
Recommendations for Future Events
To build on this year’s success, the team recommends:
- Integrating Practical Learning into Curriculum: Modules such as Hospitality Business Toolkit and Managing Accommodation Services would benefit from embedded hands-on training outcomes.
- Enhanced Equipment Investment: Expanding the variety of bar tools and cocktail glassware will elevate future sessions and ensure realism.
- Advanced Mixology Techniques: Introducing modern elements like infusion, dry ice, or flame-based cocktails would align training with current industry trends.
- Simulated Service Challenges: Incorporating time-based tasks and guest upselling scenarios would sharpen students’ speed, accuracy, and commercial awareness.
Conclusion
The 2025 Hospitality Skills Event was more than just a series of workshops; it was a launchpad for student growth. By merging theoretical knowledge with industry-aligned practices, Mont Rose College continues to prepare its students for successful, impactful careers in the global hospitality sector.
This event affirmed that practical learning isn’t just supplementary, it’s essential. With enhanced confidence, refined skills, and a deeper appreciation for hospitality operations, our students are one step closer to becoming the industry’s future leaders.
