A new £70,000 professional-style hospitality kitchen has opened at Milton Abbey School, funded by former pupils, the Milton Abbey Association and fundraising by current students.
The Old Miltonian Hospitality Kitchen has been created as both a teaching space and commercial-style working kitchen, giving pupils the opportunity to develop practical cookery and hospitality skills in an environment designed to reflect the industry.
The project began with a £40,000 donation from the Milton Abbey Association (MAA). Pupils then raised a further £12,000 through individual challenges during the summer term, alongside donations from Old Miltonians. An anonymous former pupil provided the final £18,000 needed to reach the £70,000 target.
The refurbishment included new electrical, plumbing and gas systems, flooring, kitchen equipment and cookers, as well as a purpose-built teaching station.
The kitchen was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MAA President Hugo Mieville, Headmaster James Watson, Chair of Governors Ian Bromilow and Governor and Old Miltonian Justin Frampton.
Mr Watson said: ‘Milton Abbey has a remarkable record of turning out 5-star chefs and award-winning sommeliers. I look forward to the considerable personal sacrifice of sampling the delicious creations that the next generation will produce in this outstanding professional kitchen.
‘Artificial Intelligence has not yet worked out how to boil an egg or raise a soufflé. As Milton Abbey marches into the future with its ethos of character education, this kitchen is a key component in preparing our students for both everyday life and interesting, future-ready careers.’
Head of Hospitality Mrs Forster said the new facility would allow students to develop skills beyond cookery itself.
‘The new facility will give students the opportunity to work in an environment that closely reflects a professional hospitality kitchen. They will develop practical cookery skills alongside important qualities such as teamwork, organisation, independence and responsibility.
‘These are skills that students can take with them beyond school, whether they are cooking for themselves at university or pursuing a career within the hospitality industry.’
The kitchen will be used for hospitality and food-related studies as well as wider practical learning and enrichment activities.
