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Wigan |
CASE STUDIES
The Head Chef
Leighton Thomas, Head Chef, Burridges Hotel & Restaurant
"When I decided to train as a chef, I was well aware of the reality of
the job- having seen my own father in the business for many years. But the
opportunity to work my way up and build a solid reputation was too great
to miss.
I studied for Professional Chef NVQ levels 1-3 at Greenbank College in
Chester. Because the college work was only one day a week, I got a job as
Commis Chef at The Blossom, and later at The Mill Hotel in Chester.
During my final year of study I got a job at The Bluebell- one of the top
restaurants in Chester. My time there was invaluable as I learnt my pastry
skills on the job and was introduced to the concept of ‘fine dine’.
After college, I got a job at Le Meridian Victoria and Albert in
Manchester as Chef de Partie, later being promoted to Senior Chef de
Partie in the fine dine restaurant.
I then did three years at Etrope Grange as Junior Sous Chef in the two
rosette awarded restaurant, before moving on to Franks in Salford where I
was Sous Chef and promoted to Head Chef. A couple of other Head Chef
positions followed.
I finally came to Burridges early in 2003. It is a fantastic challenge for
me. I run my own team write and budget for the menus and have access to
the best fresh food around. I hope to build on the reputation the
restaurant already has and my aim is to get a rosette for the pace before
too long. That would be a definite high in my career!"
The Sales Manager
Carole Swanton, Sales Manager, Quality Hotel Wigan
Carole is the Sales Manager of the Quality Hotel on Riverway, Wigan and
has held the post for 4 years. Carole has a good employment record in
sales and lives in the Wigan area.
Carole came into the industry almost by chance. She started her working
life in the NHS, where she became a fully qualified NHS administrator,
then a complete career change to run her own successful grocery and
off-licence business. This was followed by a long career with Norweb in
commercial sales where she gained extensive sales and customer care
training. After a short spell in newspapers decided, to look to the hotel
industry where she saw, quite by chance a vacancy in the local paper for a
Sales Manager at The Quality Hotel.
Carole has a good portfolio of Corporate Clients and the Quality Hotel
regularly posts No Vacancies signs thanks to her hard work and commitment.
When asked about her sales manager’s role Carole said " I pride myself in
delivering everything possible and the most rewarding part of my role is
the repeat and referred business."
Carole added " Wigan has much to offer tourism and I enjoy a good working
relationship with Wigan TIC. The Borough has maximised its assets and is
geographically well placed in the North West."
Carole is married to Dave who is the Media Manager of Sale Sharks Rugby
Union Club. They have a dog called Bazil, named after the most famous
hotelier of all - Basil Fawlty!
The Tourist Information Manager
Sophie Gardiner, Tourist Information Centre Manager
 
"After completing my A-Levels, during which I did a work placement at
Wigan Pier, I decided that tourism and heritage was something I wanted to
explore more. So I studied for a HND in Tourism and Heritage Management (2
yrs) at Cumbria College of Art and Design and then progressed onto a BA
Hons Degree in Heritage Management (2 yrs). During those four years I
undertook work placements, practical projects and voluntary work within
the industry.
After completing my degree, I applied for a casual museum attendant post
with Southampton City Council that led to me being offered a temporary
post in City Information. As I was covering a vacant post, when that post
was advertised I applied and got it (thanks to the experience I had gained
while temping). I was then a permanent Information Officer. City
Information and the Tourist Information Centre merged and I successfully
applied for the Supervisors post. When my husband and I relocated to the
North West, I successfully landed the post of Tourist Information Centre
Manager for Wigan.
I am trained to deal with all customer queries in a methodical, lateral
and polite manner and customer service is extremely important to me.
My studies have helped me to get where I am as they have provided a
understanding and appreciation of several management issues including
personnel, finance and budgets, visitor management, PR. However the most
valuable experience by far has been work itself, both paid and voluntary,
and having the support and encouragement of a very good manager."
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