Jaiden Shek

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background etc?

I wanted to study this course because I’ve been brought up around food my whole life. My dad used to be a chef and my family have owned multiple restaurants in places like Corbridge and a couple in Newcastle too so its just a real passion of mine. I originally was thinking of pursuing a different career but from seeing the food my dad makes and used to make, as well as seeing everything on Instagram like how food can be plated and seeing how cool it is – it’s amazing. Just having a team behind me and having a kitchen where you’re creating masterpieces is special to me.

How did you hear about Newcastle College? Did you attend an Open Day prior to starting at the College? If so, did you find it useful?

I first heard about the College from my old school when I mentioned I wanted to study food and they passed on the College website, and I applied straight away that night. I attended one Open Event and it was really helpful. I was really impressed by the facilities and as soon as I came, I just knew this is where I wanted to be.

What made you decide to come to the college and enrol on the course you selected?

I was looking at other college’s as well, but I heard from other students that they weren’t impressed with the course, and I just thought Newcastle College had so much to offer, like from the kitchens to working in the Bistro and the Chefs Academy (especially with it AA College rosette).

How would you describe the advice and support you received from college and your tutors? Have you had any support for our Central Support Team – Pastoral support?

It’s a 10 out of 10, like 5 stars. I’ve just spoken with a tutor about my synoptic exam and he’s given me really helpful feedback on how I can improve my merit to a distinction and now I understand what I have to do differently. For example, on my fish dish I had a beard on a muscle that I didn’t see, and its just made me realise the expectations of working in industry.

Do you have any tutors who have industry experience? If so, how has this helped you?

Yeah all of them. One of our tutors has worked for different people like Gordon Ramsay, like Marco Pierre White, stuff like that. Its been really helpful and I love being taught by people who have worked in different kitchens and areas so its amazing to have their experience being passed onto me. It helps me understand what’s expected of me.

Did you look into financial support available from the college? If so what were they and how did they help?

No, I didn’t.

Have you overcome any challenges while on your course? If so how has the college helped you?

I’ve came through many! I got a little bit too confident with a couple of things so it's good to have like someone like from the industry to come humble me every now and again because I feel like for like I'm the best in the world and I can do anything but then I’ve got a misshapen carrot (which doesn’t seem like a big deal but when you’re cooking for professional people it could make or break your reputation). Its good to have people who will give you constructive criticism to help me develop.

What do you/did you enjoy most about your course?

I can’t really pick one thing to be honest, I love it all - I just love cooking so much. I think it would have to be the work experience/placements. For example I've had like different experiences from like House of Tide (where I was actually employed from them), Peace and Loaf and Pleased To Meet You, where I’ve managed to get a new job as well. My course has given me so many experiences from working in a Michelin star fine dining restaurant to a bit more of a fast passed kitchen environment. I had no idea I would be given the opportunity to be involved with these brands and such established restaurants.

How do you feel that the course has/is benefitting you?

I think it has benefited me a lot because I was given the opportunity to be involved in placements. For example, if I hadn’t had that industry-experience from being in real-working environments I wouldn’t understand what its really like to be involved in a fast-paced service. When you’re at college you can go over slightly but when you’re in a proper kitchen and people are waiting for food you really have no time. Its getting you ready for full-time chef mode.

Have you done any work experience or a work placement as part of your course? Would you consider studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

I’m going to move onto Level 3, and then do my Level 4 and Level 5 at Newcastle College University Centre and then hopefully after that I'm probably going to go travelling so I can properly figure out what I really want to do and what route I’d like to take. When I’m travelling, I’d really like to try loads of different cuisines around the world and then hopefully open my own restaurant in North-East somewhere, probably something similar to House of Tides.

What are your ambitions for the future?

As I’ve just mentioned, my main ambitions for the future is that I’d really like to open my own restaurant where I can produce my own food instead of making someone else's dishes - I love creating and having the whole team with me to produce this one dish that I’ve come up to.

What would you say to anyone thinking of studying a course with Newcastle College?

100%, you should definitely do it! Its so helpful, you get so much positive feedback, constructive criticism, the tutors are great and when you do something good its so rewarding. It's better than school, it's more laid back and you can have you can have like relationship with tutors and it's just really good.

Top tips

Don’t join thinking its going to be easy. Its obviously going to be hard because you’re learning constantly and its super-fast-paced.

Don’t beat yourself up about getting criticism, its not the end of the world and youre hear to learn how to do something.

Learn what you can from your tutors - they’re here to help you and lead you to the right path.

Socialise – there’s so many different courses and you’re running into people all the time.

Finally, just have a good time and enjoy yourself!