Hello Post House, you might find it useful to get in touch with the very wonderful Alison Malcolm at Stafford College. The best way to do so is by email:
a.malcolm@staffordcoll.ac.uk She manages the Hospitality courses and would be able to help identify suitable graduates from the courses (for full-time work) or current students who can combine their training with work. Just let her know the kind of hours you need to fill - she will definitely do her best to help you.
Have you had an opportunity to visit the campus restaurant to see the students in action? If not, I'd love to invite you to lunch. Check-out the Riverbank Restaurant thread on the Forum to see how much people love it there. It is very difficult to get any reservations for dinner but if you could spare a lunchtime, please let me know. We'd love to have you as our guest and perhaps that might be a good opportunity for you to meet Ali Malcolm?
The hospitality courses have long been an area of specialist expertise at the College and something of which we are very proud. The students are outstanding ambassadors for the College and indeed, for Stafford. Tek is quite right, the Lewis Partnership do work very closely with the College and have done so for some time. This year the College and Lewis Partnership together, launched a training Foundation with the aim of providing students with the best possible preparation for careers in the hospitality industry. All our catering students get guaranteed work experience within the Lewis Partnership and additionally, two are chosen for sponsored positions. That said, I don't think actual bare knuckle fighting would be involved. There are more than enough ambitious, well-trained and completely lovely young people to go round!