A group of students from Nescot College were invited to cater for 125 of Surrey’s most important figure heads on Sunday, September 20, at the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell’s Annual Civic Service buffet reception.

Surrey’s High Sheriff, the Queen’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant, Martin Gerrard, and Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling were among the guests to sample a savoury buffet, cakes and puddings served by the budding chefs.

The students, who have since set up their own catering business and have been running a weekly cafe in a local church hall for the last 19 months, were invited to do the catering by Councillor Sheila Carlson, Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, after she sampled their cuisine.

She said: "I was so determined to have the students my poor secretary had to take it on trust that the catering would be up to scratch without being able to inspect the arrangements herself, extremely unusual for such an important event.

"I’m pleased to say the students did a wonderful job.

"It’s vital to the community to recognise that we all have a part to play and we’ll certainly be calling on the students to help us with future functions."

David, 19, said: "I enjoyed meeting all those people and cooking for them.

"When they told me the food was lovely I was so pleased.

"I can’t wait to do it again."

Lynn Reddick, head of Nescot’s preparation for working life department, added: "We are launching a catering business called Seasons at Nescot to cope with the requests for private work from the students.

"We will also be selling homemade seasonal products and are opening a cafe serving students, staff and guests at Nescot.

"These youngsters are being given solid skills they can take into any workplace and to have the chance to make a positive contribution to society means so much to them."

For more information, or to book the students to cater your event, call 020 8394 3226