Travel with a Hospitality Career

Scott Robertson tells us how studying HNC Hospitality at Ayrshire College led to working as a Chef at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. 

Hospitality, Events and Tourism is a diverse industry that encompasses many different sectors. A career in hospitality and tourism could take you towards working in event planning and management, hotels, restaurants or travel and tourism.

“Once I left college I worked for the international catering company Sodexo, at the Royal Open Golf tournament in Troon.  I’d always wanted to travel and saw an opportunity to work in France as a private ski chalet chef for the same company.

After a season in France, I’d learned a lot and all of the hospitality skills I had learned at college were incredibly useful. Following this, I worked for a time at Hampden Stadium looking after the catering there for footballers and special events.

From here I went to Switzerland and met people who worked as private chefs for large chalet companies in high-end resorts.

My passion for travelling has helped me find a career in hospitality.  They go hand in hand.  I’ve had so many great opportunities.  I’ve been lucky, but I’ve also worked hard.

I now work in the restaurants of a five star hotel in Stockholm, which caters for all kinds of people.  If there’s a celebrity in town, this is where they come.

It’s a very professional place to work.  I am very passionate about what I do and make sure that everything is at a high standard.

The hours are long but the pride and satisfaction comes when you finish your shift and everything has gone really well.  I have a very supportive team and a fantastic head chef who is very motivating.  I really enjoy it.

Ayrshire College gave me the fundamental structure and knowledge to work in the hospitality industry.  Now, my ambitions are to run my own catering company in the exclusive private chef industry.”