Royal Academy of Culinary Arts

College Community Programme

At the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of culinary talent. Our College Community Programme (CCP) is designed to extend our reach and support to hospitality colleges across the UK.

Funded By

College Community Programme Sponsors

To supplement the work RACA already do with our four accredited colleges, Bournemouth & Poole, Capital City College Westminster centre, Liverpool City and University College Birmingham, the RACA College Community Programme (CCP) will increase the number of further education colleges we work with and enable us to share the knowledge and network of RACA and its community partners.
City of Liverpool College

The RACA CCP will provide Further Education college students with enrichment opportunities and experiences by connecting them with RACA Academicians, suppliers and a network of industry contacts, opening placement and job opportunities and mentorship.

Colleges enrolled onto the RACA CCP will be supported in identifying activities that supplement the learning experience and RACA will help to facilitate introductions. As we develop the programme and colleges join our RACA College Membership Scheme, lecturers will be able to access information via the members login area.  This will support activities such as continued professional development and develop networks, helping to forge relationships with local Academicians and potentially those further afield.

RACA Members Directory Map

Year One Colleges

Main Objectives

  • To create a community of colleges to facilitate better communication and the sharing of best practice across the country.

  • To raise awareness of job opportunities in the industry and communicate these opportunities where applicable. To give students access to inspiring and ‘hero’ professionals with high standards so they will see how they can develop higher level skills and gain more practical experience and understanding of what is required for a successful career, giving them a better understanding of workplace expectations, and making them more employable.

  • To provide lecturers with an opportunity for Continued Professional Development - to update their skills, ensuring their teaching reflects current practice and encouraging them to challenge students to achieve their very best through competition and industry engagement.

  • To introduce students to the opportunities of networking and personal development, including soft skills. As the college community grows there will be opportunities for students to attend our members’ recruitment days and industry events as well as those organised by RACA itself, where they will meet new mentors and peers across the industry.

Intended beneficiaries 

The primary beneficiaries will be college students studying hospitality and catering courses in colleges in the UK, allowing them new openings and contacts in hospitality via our members.

It will also benefit the college lecturers by way of new chefs being introduced to their colleges and widening their contacts, new skills will be demonstrated to educate both students and lecturers.

By the end of the three-year project at least 840 students and 35 colleges will have been introduced to a new network of opportunities.

Anticipated outcomes  

To grow a College Community resulting in 35 new colleges connected
through the industry by the end of year three. 

To promote further education and apprenticeship opportunities with
advancement into fulltime employment in the industry.
To showcase the vast opportunities via an education pathway.

Identify secondary schools and colleges that we can connect to our RACA Academician membership based on their geographical location by working with our increasing number of alumni members who will be asked to go into schools and colleges to talk to young people about the industry and the opportunities available.

To engage with new colleges by covering the set-up costs to support them to devote their time to building the RACA College Community Programme.

To engage our academicians and encourage them to support the RACA College Community Programme with set-up costs to allow them to present and take their teams into the colleges to present masterclasses and buy ingredients and cover travel expenses.

Increase availability and knowledge of work placements and work experience.

For more information, please email neil@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk