College restaurant on £25m Wrexham site serves up careers for ex-students

Coleg Cambria served up career opportunities for two talented former students.

Owain Jones and Bradley Wilford have joined the team at Cambria’s popular Ial Restaurant in Wrexham.

Owain, 21, is now working as a sous chef having completed the Level 3 Hospitality and Catering course at Yale. Chef de Partie Bradley, 20, is a graduate of the same diploma.

Both hit the ground running having gained valuable experience with head chef Barry Langston at the Wimbledon tennis championships last summer.

“I was here as a student when the restaurant opened, so to now be employed here is fantastic, it’s a great chance for me to progress alongside Bradley at a place we know so well,” said Owain, from Wrexham.

“I’ve worked at several venues across town and with the college but the offering here at Ial is second to none; the food, the atmosphere and feedback we’ve received from customers has been first class, so it’s the perfect place to learn the trade.”

Bradley, from Mold, added: “We’ve learnt so much since we started here and can push ourselves to get better and better with a supportive team around us in familiar surroundings.

“As the restaurant is getting busier and busier and more people are visiting regularly, that really boosts confidence. We also get to help the students who are in the same position we were not that long ago, so it’s very rewarding.”

With the hospitality sector facing recruitment challenges, Maria Stevens, Cambria’s Director of Commercial Operations, says they are in the fortunate position of being able to educate and train the next generation of chefs, front-of-house, and kitchen staff from within.

“We are fortunate to have a pool of talented young students who are learning on the job in a working kitchen which is getting busier by the week,” she said.

“Bradley and Owain have been terrific and are a great addition to the team – we wish them every success and would like to thank all of our customers for their support.”

For more information and make a reservation at Ial Restaurant, visit www.ialrestaurant.co.uk or call 01978 548818.

Visit www.wrexham.com for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.