Launceston College Students Get Hands-On with Fresh Mussels in Pop-Up Seafood Festival

How a 6:30 AM Entry Won Students 8kg of Fresh Mussels

Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students at Launceston College, part of Athena Learning Trust, had a unique opportunity to work with fresh seafood after winning a social media competition. The college secured 8kg of mussels from Offshore Shellfish Lyme Bay, leading to a pop-up mussel festival where students prepared and served Thai-style mussels with homemade focaccia bread.

A Prize Worth Waking Up For

The opportunity came through a competition hosted by the Food Teachers Centre on social media. Schools across the country had the chance to win the fresh shellfish, and at 6:30 AM on the day of the giveaway, Steve Pidgeon, the college’s Head of Hospitality, submitted the school’s entry. The early effort paid off, as Launceston College was among the lucky winners.

For many of the students, this was their first experience handling mussels, and the event provided valuable hands-on learning in food preparation, presentation, and teamwork.

Cooking Up Experience with Local Produce

The festival showcased not only the students’ culinary skills but also the importance of using fresh, local ingredients. Launceston College’s Hospitality and Catering course teaches students everything from customer service to international cuisine, making this hands-on experience a perfect addition to their learning.

Matthew Thompson, Principal at Launceston College, praised the event, saying:

“This was an incredible opportunity for our Year 10 students to learn about using local produce and develop their culinary skills. It’s not every day you get to work with fresh mussels, and it was fantastic to see how excited the students were to prepare, cook, and serve the dishes to our staff and fellow students. A big thank you to Offshore Shellfish Lyme Bay for making this possible.”

A College Dedicated to Excellence

Launceston College is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors noting that all pupils, including those with SEND, follow a broad and ambitious curriculum. Sixth-form students study qualifications aligned with their future aspirations, while specially resourced provisions ensure all students receive an education that meets their needs.

This mussel festival is just one example of how the college embraces unique learning experiences, helping students develop skills that go beyond the classroom.