Contract Caterer Geoffrey Harrison Launches Charitable Foundation

More than 150 budding catering professionals have benefited from training courses made possible by a new charitable foundation set up by Harrison Catering Services.

Named for the company’s founder and chairman, The Geoffrey Harrison Foundation is dedicated to advancing education and learning in the United Kingdom in connection with the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industries and to helping young people to develop their capabilities and grow to maturity as individuals and as members of society.

“It has always been my aim for Harrison Catering Services to be managed in an exemplary way for our clients, our customers, our staff and our suppliers—and an important part of that is what we do in the area of corporate social responsibility,” said Geoffrey.

“Having been lucky enough to have spent my working life in the hospitality industry, I know the opportunities it has to offer, not least of which is a set of transferrable skills that can be used throughout the world. Through the Foundation, my fellow Harrison directors and I are committed to providing opportunities to young people who are interested in joining our industry.”

The Foundation is currently contributing to the Saturday morning Junior Chefs Academy held at University of West London, Ealing, and the Young Chef Academy at Westminster Kingsway College, Victoria. Aimed at Year 10 and 11 students, these 10 week courses provide a great start for those interested in a career in the hospitality industry. Food preparation, cooking and presentation, hygiene, safety, teamwork, organisational skills and food service techniques are all covered, and on the final week of the course the students prepare, cook and serve a formal three-course meal to their parents and guardians, College and University staff, and Foundation trustees.

Over 70 per cent of the students participating in the courses go on to pursue a full-time course for a career in the hospitality industry.

Trustees of the Foundation include several leading names committed to young people’s education: The Rt Hon The Lord Lingfield Kt MEd DLitt DL; Professor David Foskett, MBE CMA FHI Bed (Hons), Head of the London School of Hospitality and Tourism, University of West London; and Geoff Booth, Assistant Principal and Director of the School of Hospitality, Westminster Kingsway College.

The Foundation is fully funded by Harrison Catering Services. Some additional funding has also been provided by the Savoy Educational Trust, enabling the Foundation to provide even more training courses to the catering and hospitality professionals of tomorrow.

For more information about the foundation, visit the website at www.geoffreyharrisonfoundation.org.uk.

For more information about the Savoy Educational Trust, visit the website at www.savoyeducationaltrust.org.uk.