Keswick School has been treated to a makeover, and now has a food technology kitchen of dreams.
Each year, Lake District Hotels Ltd select a Cumbrian charity to support with their fundraising efforts, choosing Keswick School as their 2018 and 2019 charity.
The school was chosen after Lake District Hotels heard of the pressure the school was under, following years of successive funding cuts and a very little budget for upgrading facilities, including the food technology department.
After 97% of school pupils throughout the UK said they wouldn't pursue a career in hospitality, as stated by Caterer.com, Kit Graves, Lake District Hotels director, felt Keswick School pupils deserved a chance to get back in touch with cooking, and wanted to fund the "complete refit" of the school's out of touch facilities.
And after months of selling raffle tickets, charity gala dinners, sandwich competitions, a dragon boat race and the generosity of guests and larger companies, over £30,000 has been raised, and the "Bake-off-style" modern kitchen has been built.
Kit commented on the renovation, and said: "By introducing this new technology kitchen at Keswick School with modern facilities, it is our hope that more students will show an interest in cooking, learn about healthy diets, and take up careers within our industry."
The grand opening of the brand new facilities will take place on September 20, with a ribbon cutting in front of the school's governors, directors and trustees, as well as community groups, the Mayor of Keswick and Allerdale, plus all sponsors and contractors that have been part of the project.
Lake District Hotels Ltd would like to thank Underscar Manor, Thomas Armstrong Group, Keswick Rotary Club, Jennings Brewery, Hyde Harrington Chartered Surveyors, Caterite Food & Wineservice Ltd, Pioneer Foodservice, Sealy, Unwin Jones, Ribble Farm Fare, Heatons Office Solutions and Howdens Joinery for their generous donations.
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