Rhodes opens new home for Colchester Institute

Chef Gary Rhodes was this week due to open the new building that will house Colchester Institute's hospitality and food studies department.

The institute, formerly a technical college, has long had one of the best-known training centres for hospitality in the region. The new building, which has two restaurants operated by students and open to the public, has more space and better facilities.

Moira Davidson, head of the centre, said: "We are in the bidding process for recognition as a Centre of Vocational Excellence - a status that, if achieved, will recognise what we already do well and set us challenges for the years ahead."

The department has about 350 students.