We don't need special courses, we need to listen to each other

When I was a student, my management lecturer, Eric Moonman, said the three most important skills in management were "Communication, communication and communication" - obviously, a pinch from the Hilton remark about "location, location, location" for hotels, but a lesson for all of us.

While your pages are an excellent route for that much-needed communication, it would seem that most caterers and teachers want the same thing, but blame each other for the missed opportunities.

My experience gives me an unusual perspective. After three years at college, I spent 13 years in hotels and event catering, eight years teaching catering (mostly at Westminster College) and 21 years in contract catering.

The catering industry does not need special courses for any of the career options open to students, although some modules or options in their final year would be very useful.

One thing I can promise all students is that contract catering is the most fun, demanding and rewarding career you could hope for. It also offers sociable hours and a huge range of experiences.

John Herring
Managing director, Connect Catering, Wallingford

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