Angel Hill Food Co. has always had a strong connection to Suffolk. Just a stone’s throw from Angel Hill, where the business was founded, West Suffolk College continues to play an important role in developing the next generation of culinary talent.
That connection came to life recently as two of Angel Hill Food Co.’s Executive Development Chefs, Matthew Vernon and Dan Farrand, visited the college to deliver a hands-on pasta workshop for culinary students preparing to take their next step from education into industry.
Both Matthew and Dan started their own careers at college, giving them a first-hand understanding of what that transition can feel like. Through the workshop, they were able to share not only technical skills, but also practical insight, encouragement and tangible experience from their own journeys into professional kitchens.
The session gave students experience in the techniques, pace and precision of working kitchens, while helping them build confidence as they begin to think about future careers in food.
Bringing Industry Experience into The Classroom
During the workshop, students were guided through the process of making fresh egg pasta from scratch, developing fillings, preparing sauces and bringing finished dishes together with care and creativity.
The recipes included:
- Mushroom tortellini with carbonara sauce
- Salmon and tarragon ravioli with white wine sauce
- Butternut squash and ricotta ravioli with sage beurre noisette
- Fresh pasta dough, pesto, pangretata and supporting preparation techniques
Each dish gave students the opportunity to develop core culinary skills, from dough making and rolling to filling, shaping, cooking and finishing fresh pasta.
The workshop offered more than a technical cookery session. It created a direct link between the classroom and the working kitchen, helping them understand how the skills they are learning can translate into real careers across the food industry.
From College Foundations to Culinary Careers
Engaging with West Suffolk College reflects a wider commitment to supporting local communities and developing talent at the start of the career journey.
Because Matthew and Dan both began their careers through college, they understand the questions many students face at this stage: what professional kitchens are really like, how to build confidence, how to keep learning, and how to turn classroom skills into career opportunities.
Matthew Vernon, Executive Development Chef at Angel Hill Food Co., said:
Starting out at college gave me the foundation for my career, so being able to return to that environment and support students at the same stage is really meaningful. You remember what it feels like to be learning the basics, asking questions and trying to picture where it could all lead. Workshops like this help students build confidence and see how their skills can develop in a working kitchen. For us, being active in our local community means helping create those moments of connection for the next generation.
Dan Farrand, Executive Development Chef at Angel Hill Food Co., added:
There is real talent coming through local colleges, and sometimes what students need most is a clearer view of what the industry can offer. When chefs share practical knowledge and honest experience, it helps make that next step feel more achievable. Supporting local talent is good for young people, good for communities and important for the future of food.
A Local Connection with Lasting Impact
West Suffolk College sits at the heart of a local area known for food, culture and innovation. For Angel Hill Food Co., returning to that community to support emerging chefs brings the company’s heritage and future together.
That connection between past and future is central to how Angel Hill Food Co. continues to grow. As Henry Watts reflects in his article on reconnecting with our heritage and future, understanding where we have come from helps shape the food experiences, partnerships and opportunities we create next.
The workshop showed how food businesses can play an active role beyond their own kitchens – sharing knowledge, creating opportunity and helping young people see a future for themselves in the industry.
By supporting students at the beginning of their culinary journey, Angel Hill Food Co. is helping develop the confidence, skills and ambition needed to strengthen the next generation of chefs.
Because the future of food is shaped by the people we support today.
