Video: Paul Rankin on London Hospitality Centre initiative

Caterer went along to the opening of the new Community College in Hackney, London to chat to Ready Steady Cook star Paul Rankin about why he's supporting the initiative.

The hospitality and catering centre offers students the chance to work in a new restaurant while studying for a qualification and is aiming to help bridge the skills gap in the run-up to the Olympics.

The London Development Agency (LDA) spent £800,000 to fund the London City Hospitality centre which officially opened on Monday 30 March.

The centre, which is housed within Hackney Community College, comprises 20 stainless steel work-stations modelled on the environment of a modern commercial kitchen. Students can study NVQ based courses in professional cookery, customer service, bar, food and drink, hospitality and leadership and management.

See what Rankin had to say about the stars of tomorrow here…