A passion for teaching and training leads Marcel to first class honours degree

: Created: 16 January 2020

Restaurant Manager Marcel Dueren also received top marks for his thesis which has now been handed to the College’s senior leadership team for consideration to become part of its teaching and learning policy resources.

Marcel joined the College five years ago and has had an influential effect on how students are taught. He has given hands-on, experienced-based training leading them to employment in some of the most distinguished hotels and restaurants in the UK.

German-born Marcel has enjoyed an illustrious career in the hospitality sector himself which began with an apprenticeship in hotel management. He moved on to work in a wide range of different positions such as restaurant supervisor, bar manager, head waiter, and hospitality general manager for a number of different employers in London and cities throughout Europe.

Receiving official confirmation of his first class standard from Canterbury Christ Church University, Marcel said: “I’m truly blown away with this; I think I’m on cloud nine right now. Although I’ve put so much into the course and burnt midnight oil to achieve the very highest grade I could, it’s still a huge surprise to reach such heights and get the highest grade possible.

“It’s not just the culmination of working exceptionally hard to complete assignments and sit exams; it is also about how I’ve used my experience from an apprentice in the industry right the way through to becoming a practising educator and trainer, mentor and expert in what makes young people tick that has been formally recognised.

“I can honestly say that I have dedicated the last five years of my career to making sure I pass on my skills and knowledge to a new generation of front-of-house specialists, professional chefs, hotel and restaurant managers, catering service providers and many others. I want them to go on and reap the benefits that the hospitality sector can bring and give them a head-start.

“The sector can be a very tough nut to crack and requires commitment, devotion, immense personal skills and an endless supply of charm and charisma. The hours can be excessive, the stress levels can reach boiling point at times with composure, level-headedness and quick thinking being the essential ingredients to provide a great service to customers as well as gaining promotion at work.

“I do all I can to provide incentivised learning techniques - not by offering material rewards but by offering our students individual skills and frequent nuggets of knowledge and wisdom that they will keep with them. For each student to be a success they simply have to know that their future jobs and careers depend on their reputation, their ability to work as part of a team, to be trusted and dependable, respected and likeable. They will learn something new each lesson and then be given the opportunity to put this into action in their very own student-led restaurant business - BR6 Restaurant and Bakehouse.

“Also, only by giving 100% effort can you ever expect to receive the same back. Your education and training is an investment - the more you put in, the more you get back. Each term, we (the department) get visited by former students coming back to tell us how they are faring in the big wide world and it’s fulfilling to hear their stories. In the vast majority of cases, it’s very good news and they haven’t received any nasty shocks. That is because we prepare them well and don’t leave out the finer detail.”

Tania Sumner, Head of the Hospitality team, said: “It is wonderful to hear of Marcel's success this year and we hope this will inspire both students and fellow staff to continue their learning and upskilling throughout their working lives and beyond.”

If you think you have what it takes to become a professional chef or build a successful career in the hospitality and catering industries, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of courses to get you started. Come along to one of our Open Events.

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