Supporting Local Talent: The Suffolk New College Gala Dinner
Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Suffolk New College Gala Dinner at Milsom Kesgrave Hall as a guest of Jennifer Leeder and the team at Birketts Solicitors.
The evening was a “student takeover,” which meant the entire event was run by the young people studying at the college. Learners from the Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts (SCCA) took charge of the kitchen to prepare and serve a brilliant three-course meal, while students from the wider college provided the live music and entertainment throughout the night.
Why Real-World Experience Matters
Having spent 30 years working closely with the voluntary, community, and education sectors across Suffolk, I know firsthand just how vital these practical opportunities are. Moving from a classroom or a training kitchen into a busy, live hospitality environment is a massive step for any young person starting out.
An event of this scale requires a huge amount of structure, planning, and hard work behind the scenes from both the staff and the students. Seeing it come together so smoothly was incredibly inspiring.
Collaborating for Community Success
At DQC, we talk a lot about the value of strong foundations and genuine collaboration. Last night was a perfect example of what happens when local businesses, educational institutions, and hospitality venues work together to give the next generation of talent a real platform to show what they can do.
The food was amazing, the music was great, and it was a thoroughly worthwhile evening.
A big thank you to Jennifer and Birketts for the invitation, and congratulations to all the students involved for making the night such a success.
