College kitchens in Leeds that were knocked out of action 14 months ago due to an accidental fire have been ‘transformed’ into a ‘world-class’ training hub. Determined to bounce back, the college has since invested more than £4m to create ‘an amazing show kitchen’.

The college teaches a wide range of courses including in culinary skills, professional cookery, patisserie and confectionery, and hospitality and catering, along with bakery and butchery apprenticeships. Many of the college's catering and hospitality students go on to work in the public sector, including the NHS.

The kitchens are being sponsored by Rational Kitchens, which the college has entered into a two year partnership with. A group of students from the college’s culinary skills diploma course ran their own demonstration and served guests.

The arrangement means Rational will be able to use the kitchens once or twice a month to help with training. Two of its experienced professionals, chef Neil McKay and regional manager Allan Brook led cookery demonstrations on the day.

Lee Pryor, principal of Printworks campus, said: “I am proud that we have bounced back so quickly from adversity to create some really world-class catering facilities - no other college has anything like this.

“The kitchens will really help our students excel and become the skilled cooks, bakers and hospitality professionals that our region and economy needs to prosper. We have been delighted to show them off to so many visiting representatives from the region’s food and drink industry, the Lord Mayor and our other guests.”