Thinking about working a winter season didn’t put students off from making the most of the sunshine for the first round of training at Fresh Tracks Chalet Hosting and Cookery School this June. In fact, if anything, the hot weather was a bonus enabling everyone to get out and make the most of the fantastic location from which the course is run. The students, who came from a real mix of backgrounds and with varying degrees of experiences, saw initial nerves quickly replaced by an overwhelming sense of luck at what an amazing location we are in. Located only 200 meters from Harlyn Bay, one of North Cornwall’s most stunning beaches, the venue for the course not only provides a great setting in which to learn but also in which to have an awesome time.
Busy mornings starting at 7am had students cooking breakfasts, preparing afternoon tea and prepping evening meals and where followed by practical cleaning sessions and Anna’s famous “quiz of the day”. Informal and informative theory sessions on the essential topics of how to become the best possible chalet host were then discussed and after further cooking practice and a wholesome lunch, there was the opportunity to get outdoors. Donning our sun cream (although not so well on occasions!) and with beach towels in hand, students and tutors alike capitalised on the sunny weather and warm(ish) water to relax and unwind in the afternoons.
Daily timetabled free periods plus a Wednesday afternoon off meant we could all get out and about and whether we were jumping of the cliffs, fishing at sunrise or sunset, eating ice creams in nearby Newquay or chilling on the sun terrace I think it’s fair to say that the summer intake of Fresh Tracks students all had a great time.
The venue provided a cool and comfortable environment in which to continue late afternoon discussions and we didn’t need to venture to nearby Padstow for a traditional Cornish cream tea when students were practicing them for afternoon tea in the chalet school. Evenings had us munching tasty canapes and 3 course meals and whilst it seemed a little odd to be eating traditional winter menus all the meals were all tasty and delicious. Trying to create a typical ski chalet style ambiance each evening was not so easy (no log fires required!) and with world cup fever gripping the nation, the Fresh Tracks team compromised on the dinner party theme one evening to watch England progress through to the Quarter-Finals.
Invited guests to evening dinners enabled students to practice their welcoming speeches and hosting skills and everyone was well fed and watered, some lucky guests even joined us to celebrate the summer solstice down on the beach. The fun mix of practical and theory sessions ensured students learnt about all relevant topics of how to be the consummate chalet host in a ski resort and emphasised the Fresh Tracks ethos of taking passion and pride in whatever it is you do.
The summer has also seen Fresh Tracks develop stronger relationships with a number of ski companies, and so with CV’s and covering letters perfected throughout the week, interviews underway, we are really excited to see our students looking forward to snowy winters in the mountains, despite it now “Not Coming Home” and the hot summer sun continuing to shine on the North Cornish coast and Harlyn Bay.