Dunlop House restaurant at Camosun's Lansdowne campus comes alive on Thursdays this fall with interactive, themed pub nights created and led by first year students in the college's Hospitality Management program.
The approach is "applied learning at its best" according to instructor Dave Prichard, praising the students who take turns each week organising all aspect of the event, from choosing the theme to budgeting, directing staff, planning and creating the menu and serving up delicious food and drinks.
"All of the students coming in right now are very eager and excited to learn," says Dave. "Pub nights give them that practical reference so instead of just being in the classroom, they're actually out here applying their skills in real time and learning how their decisions affect outcomes."
First-year Hospitality Management diploma student Taylor Pearson served as their Marketing and Advertising Manager for this fall's first pub night on Oct. 17, when Dunlop House was decked out in décor inspired by the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. Pearson has recently returned to student life after six years of experience in the local hospitality industry.
"I was working full-time and I've got a lot of experience in the hospitality sector," says Taylor. "I've always known that this is what I've wanted to do."
Seeking to gain a leg up in her career, she chose Camosun because applied, real-world learning is core to its approach.
"I had my eye out thinking how do I get ahead for myself, and how do I get the right schooling to make that happen," Taylor says. "The experience has been amazing so far, the people are great and the teachers are terrific. They're really helping us all out and I'm enjoying the program."After graduation, Taylor plans to leverage her Camosun education to pursue a career in hotel management.
The first pub night of the season was a sell-out success. Dave credits the students with fostering a welcoming, fun and interactive atmosphere.
"All of the pub nights have a different theme reflected in the food and drink items and decorations," Dave notes. "It's always fun and interactive and there are great raffle prizes. I encourage people to come check us out and to support our students who are practicing their skills doing all these great things that they came to the college to learn."
Dunlop House pub nights run on Thursday evening from 4 pm until 6pm from now until Dec. 5. Camosun students, employees and the public are all welcome. Each year approximately 25 students graduate from Camosun College with a diploma in Hospitality Management and go on to exciting careers locally and around the world.
For more information, please visit the Hospitality Management webpage.
