Hospitality bosses at the City of Manchester Stadium teamed up yesterday to give training and healthy advice to children from Brookway High School and Sports College in Wythenshawe.

The class of year seven students were given an insight into the stadium's award winning hospitality, as they took residence in the stadium's boardroom suite for a morning of workshops.

The kids were split into two groups, with the first group being put through their paces by city's catering and hospitality manager Neil Worcester, who provided a check list of do's and don'ts when it comes to modern day manners and table etiquette.

Worcester, who has recently been appointed at the stadium, quizzed the children on everything from excusing oneself from the table when leaving, to knowing which side plate is whose on a three course table setting.

The second group were taken to the Boardroom kitchens by the consultant executive chef, John Benson-Smith, where he discussed the importance of a balanced diet whilst creating simple healthy alternatives to sugary snacks, which included a fresh fruit salad.

After the two groups had swapped sessions and learnt all there is to know about healthy eating and modern day table etiquette, it was then over to the pupils to complete a three course table setting challenge.

Based on what they had learnt, pupils were asked to lay four tables with a three course place setting, ensuring everything from the linen and napkins to the silverware, glasses and condiments were placed correctly, in the least amount of time.

Commenting on the day, Neil Worcester said: "Manners and table etiquette are important in all aspects of life – whether at a Michelin starred restaurant or at home, there's no excuse not to be polite in the company of others. By encouraging young people to adopt basic manners means they will grow up to be confident adults who are comfortable in all kinds of social situations."

John Benson-Smith added: "The rise of TV dinners, teamed with less of a life skills learning approach in education overall, has meant that basic table manners are being neglected, along with nutritional meals and regular exercise. 

"The introduction of compulsory cookery lessons for all secondary school pupils by 2011 will go someway in ensuring the cooks of tomorrow have more of an understanding of healthy ingredients and recipes."

Words: Maria Bracken

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