After leaving the Merchant Navy, Mike joined the Group in 1994 in the new Hospitality department, eventually becoming Head of School for Hospitality. After leaving for a decade, Mike returned to the Group as the new Director of Service Industries. He rebranded the restaurant, calling it Edmunds and it has gone on to win several prestigious awards. Now semi-retired, Mike takes pride in his role in training many future chefs and front of house staff.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
I joined the group after serving 10 years in the Merchant Navy and working in a variety of hotels and restaurants. At the time of joining the group I had a young family, so I had the opportunity of spending a lot more quality time with them. I first joined West Suffolk College as a part-time Chef Lecturer in 1994. The then Head of Hospitality Martyn Wagner later offered me a full-time contract. I was promoted to Head of School after 4 years and stayed on for another four years. I replaced John Macarthur as Head of School and when I left, Yannis was the person who took my role, he was the one who renamed the restaurant Zest.
When I was first at the College, the restaurant was called Australia Suite and there was a separate section called Aussies, which was the bistro/conservatory area, this was added by Andrew Hunter and Martyn Wagner.
Ten years later via Essex, London and Cambridge Colleges I returned as Director of Service Industries (in charge of Hospitality, Hair and Beauty and hospitality Apprenticeships). My biggest achievement then was to revamp the College Restaurant Zest into a modern contemporary venue to dispel the myth of ‘just a College Restaurant’. With the help of the Senior Management Team and my staff, we created Edmunds where we fast became the ‘best kept secret’ in Bury St Edmunds (Suffolk Magazine). We went on to win many awards and competitions both locally and nationally, for example, the Passion to Inspire competition– we won two years running – and achieved an Outstanding Restaurant Rosette, by People First.
I would say my proudest moment was that my wife, Pauline, who also worked for the group in the Work-based Learning Department and I got married in Edmunds.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
The day Albert Roux (the world-famous chef and a part of a hospitality dynasty) came to do a VIP Dinner for us and the gas supply to the kitchens broke down! We were very honoured to have him, despite the stress on the day.
Principal John Shipston used to regularly come to the restaurant in the evening with his electric organ under his arm and used to play in the restaurant long into the night.
Principal Nick Foster arranged a fund-raising meal at the restaurant. However, he had forgotten to tell the Caretakers, who would lock up the building. This was before mobile phones, and I had no means to contact them. I could not leave the building unlocked and had no way of resolving it. So, I did the only thing I could do and stayed in the restaurant overnight.
Another fond memory, was when I returned to College as Director – my daughter Shannon, was the PST for that area, which enabled me to work closely with her.
Are there any family members who have connections to EEG?
My wife Pauline and my daughter Shannon both worked for the group. Shannon was a PST, and later, Lecturer and Course Director in Business.
What did you go on to do after College?
I am semi-retired, working as a courier and also working with my wife as a chef in a local retirement complex. I will always cherish my many memories whilst working for the group and the support I had from Governors, Principals, Senior Managers and my staff. I am so proud to hear of the many achievements and recognition the group now has – it’s an outstanding organisation.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
As I drive through the town in my van and see the fantastic restaurants filled with some of the best Chefs and Front of House staff in the country, it gives me a great feeling that I know some of them are ex-students of mine and also some great friends.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
Eastern Education Group has always had the students at the heart of everything they do, so make the first step into your ambitions and dreams by being part of it.
