STUDENTS at a Basingstoke college are gearing themselves up to show off their catering skills at the launch of the prestigious A Place to be Proud of Awards this month.
The Robert Newman restaurant at BCOT is hosting the event on Monday, October 18.
Guests at the launch will include leading figures in the Basingstoke area, including representatives from local companies and councillors, and some of the winners from the inaugural awards.
Beverley Flanagan, director of marketing and communication at BCOT, which is sponsoring the launch event, said: "We think that the A Place to be Proud of Awards are very important for the town.
"We were involved in it last year when we sponsored the Learning category, and this year we are sponsoring it by hosting the launch.
"We take a lot of pride in the college and these awards are something we feel strongly about.
"It's also a great challenge for the students, who are all training to be chefs."
The evening will kick off with speeches by Mark Jones, editor of Gazette Newspapers, and Jane Stewart, marketing manager at Festival Place.
These will be followed by canaps and drinks served by BCOT catering students.
Jane said: "The purpose of the evening is to raise awareness of these second awards, and to encourage people to spread the word about entering."
As was the case with the first awards event - which culminated in a special gala dinner in Festival Place in March - the A Place to be Proud of Awards is being spearheaded by Gazette Newspapers, Festival Place, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the Local Strategic Partnership.
Three categories have already been snapped up for sponsorship - GAME will be sponsoring the Customer Service category, Wella is supporting the Creativity section, and Gazette Newspapers and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will be jointly sponsoring the Good Citizen Award.
Other sections still available for sponsorship are:
Safe Community
Healthy Community
Learning
Sense of Place
People of our Time
Firms or organisations interested in sponsoring an award category should contact Jane Stewart at Festival Place on 01256 326022 or e-mail info@festival place.co.uk
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