Future Culinary Stars Shine in ‘Chef of the Year’ Cook-off at Harrogate College

Written by James Beaumont on May 15, 2025. Posted in News

Harrogate College’s hospitality students played a key supporting role in a high-pressure cook-off that saw four of the town’s most promising chefs compete for the prestigious Chef of the Year title.

Part of the 2025 Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards (HHTA), the event was held in the college’s professional-standard training kitchens and gave Harrogate College’s hospitality students the opportunity to support the event through logistics and food preparation.

They worked closely with the competitors – observing, assisting, and learning from the region’s culinary elite – gaining valuable insight into real world culinary environments.

The finalists were challenged to create two standout dishes – a refined amuse-bouche and an impressive main course – under the watchful eyes of industry judges and with just 90 minutes on the clock.

Adding to the challenge, the chefs had to work from a mystery box of ingredients revealed on the day, using only equipment provided on-site, with the exception of one personal item. To ensure a fair judging process, the competition was carried out blind, with dishes delivered to the judging panel anonymously.

Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, said: “We were absolutely delighted to host this year’s Chef of the Year cook-off. Not only was it a fantastic showcase of local culinary talent, but it also gave our students the chance to see the very best of the industry in action – right here on campus. Supporting the next generation of chefs and helping to raise the profile of hospitality in Harrogate is something we’re very proud to be part of.”

The event, designed to shine a spotlight on the exceptional hospitality talent in the region, forms part of the lead-up to the main awards evening on Monday 2 June, where the overall winner will be announced.

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and an advocate for the town’s famous hospitality and tourism sector, said: “Events like these provide a brilliant way to celebrate and champion the vital role hospitality plays in our local economy. The culinary skill and creativity on show is truly inspiring, and it’s great to see Harrogate College playing a central role in nurturing future talent.”

Harrogate’s Hospitality and Tourism Awards have been running now for 17 years to celebrate the best of the best that the town has to offer. With hospitality representing a central feature within Harrogate’s economy, these awards capture the imagination of all who work directly or indirectly in hospitality and tourism, as well as many of the general public who use the many bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes and other supporting attractions.

Simon Cotton, Organiser of Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards, said: “The Chef of the Year is one of the most prestigious of the 12 categories in the awards and is a very much sought-after accolade. Several years ago, with the help of Harrogate College, the competition stepped up a significant level, with the introduction of a blind cook-off in the college’s catering kitchens.

“Working with Harrogate College is an absolute pleasure and it is fantastic that their young student chefs work alongside the competitor chefs helping develop their own skills and hopefully inspiring the next generation.”

The cook-off highlighted the creativity, technical skill and passion that exist within Harrogate’s hospitality scene – offering a taste of what’s to come at the Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards in June.

Colin Booth OBE announces retirement

Written by James Beaumont on April 1, 2025. Posted in News

The Chief Executive of Luminate Education Group, Colin Booth OBE, is retiring after 40 years in the education sector.

Colin will continue in his role as Luminate’s Chief Executive until December and will support the transition of his successor once they’re appointed in the next couple of months.

Throughout his career, Colin has transformed the lives of thousands of students through the creation of consistently high-quality education and training provision.

Luminate Education Group has grown significantly during Colin’s tenure; he has ensured members of the group are financially healthy, high quality and innovative institutions that meet regional and national skills needs.

A particular focus of Colin’s work over recent years has been ensuring that young people in Leeds have access to suitable forms of post-16 education. Alongside an over-abundance of academic post-16 options across the city, Colin has long highlighted capacity concerns around delivering the scale of vocational education that Leeds requires.

He said: “I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together at Luminate as a team of staff and leaders and together with all of our key partners.

“Our collective efforts have not only ensured the continued success of our institutions but have also had a profound impact on the communities we serve.”

John Toon, Luminate Education Group’s Chair of Governors, added: “Personally, it has been my pleasure and a privilege to work closely with Colin over the last eight years.

“He has raised expectations around innovation and excellence and has driven teams to exceed expectations, improving the financial and quality performance of all organisations he has worked for.”

The advert for the new CEO is out now and will close on 5 May. Click here to see the advert.

Recognising and supporting our Working Carers

Written by James Beaumont on May 1, 2025. Posted in News

In Leeds alone, it’s estimated that over 74,000 people are unpaid carers for a family member or friend due to illness, disability, mental health challenges or substance misuse. That’s nearly 10% of the city’s population. Yet many people don’t identify as a ‘Working Carer’ – and as a result, may not access the support they are legally entitled to.

This isn’t just a Leeds issue. The picture is similar in towns and cities across the UK, including Harrogate and Keighley. It’s likely that many individuals across the communities we serve are balancing caring responsibilities with careers, education, or training – often without recognition or formal support.

Being a Working Carer can have a profound impact on a person’s physical and mental wellbeing, relationships, and opportunities for career progression. It can lead to stress, burnout, and isolation – especially when regular working patterns or social activities become difficult to maintain.

At Luminate Education Group, we’re committed to building carer-friendly environments that recognise these challenges and offer meaningful support. This includes flexible working arrangements, access to wellbeing resources, and spaces for peer connection and advocacy.

A key initiative is our Working Carers Forum, chaired by Mariam Kauser, EDI Manager at Leeds Conservatoire. The forum provides a platform for Working Carers to connect, share experiences and shape inclusive workplace policies.

Mariam explains:

“My vision is for a culture where no one feels they must choose between being a carer and being a valued professional. This forum exists to connect, support, and drive meaningful change – ensuring lived experience informs policy and carers’ voices are heard, however quietly they speak.”

The recent introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act (2023), which came into effect in 2024, marks an important step forward. Under this new legislation, employees across the UK can take up to one week of unpaid leave each year to care for a dependent – a statutory right that helps Working Carers manage their responsibilities more effectively.

We’re proud to be part of a wider regional effort to raise awareness, promote resources, and advocate for more compassionate workplaces. Whether you’re an employer, a community organisation, or someone with caring responsibilities, we all have a role to play in ensuring carers feel supported, seen, and valued.

For more information about our initiatives or to connect with the Working Carers Forum, please get in touch.

Living the dream – the Yorkshire dancers behind new TV show

Written by James Beaumont on March 31, 2025. Posted in News, Other

West Yorkshire’s Mayor, Tracy Brabin, has praised new TV show Dreamers for shining a light on Leeds’ – and the region’s – vibrant performing arts scene.

The six part coming-of-age dance drama, which was filmed in and around the city, is being aired now on Channel 4.

The show follows the ups and downs of a group of dancers who are part of the ‘Chapeltown Collective’, with most of the cast coming from Leeds City College or Leeds Conservatoire.

Ms Brabin, who during her acting career starred in hit TV dramas including Eastenders and Coronation Street, said: “I’m thrilled to see these inspirational dance students starring in this new hit series from Leeds-based production company Duck Soup.

“They are the living proof that if you want to make it as a creative you can make it in West Yorkshire.”

For cast members like Mika Rowe-Bailey and Tyler Pickles, their involvement represents an exciting step into television – and their first brush with fame.

Tyler, a 23 year old Acting graduate from Leeds Conservatoire, plays Liam while Mika, who works and studies at Leeds City College, plays Zaki. They are joined on the show by Leeds City College students Princess Neila Mubaiwa, Demarkus Marks, Lewis Aird, Morgan Reynolds, Keldon Copeland and Luke Tyson.

Mika, 25, said: “Dreamers is a powerful representation of Leeds, particularly the vibrant dance scene in the North.

“It shines a light on the importance of community dance spaces, especially in areas like Chapeltown, and emphasises the strength of community and friendship. The show captures the raw energy and talent that thrives here.

“There’s a wealth of talent here, and Dreamers has also provided opportunities for local people to develop their skills in the film and TV industry. We’re often told to relocate to London or Manchester, but Leeds is a thriving hub for dance and the creative arts.”

Like many of the cast, Mika – who has a performance background in Bradford and Leeds – first got involved after spotting an audition poster, and was cast in 2023.

Tyler, meanwhile, from Pudsey, is a skilled actor, dancer and choreographer. He landed his role after being encouraged by friends and staff at the conservatoire to apply, eventually securing the part of Liam, who he sums up as ‘a bit of a rogue’.

Describing Dreamers as ‘This is England meets Fame’, Tyler said: “It’s something that we all definitely enjoyed being a part of.

“We’ve all kind of developed as a family, not a term I use lightly, because this was our first time doing this. So we were all in it together and went through the entire process together.

“We formed it through improvisation so it’s very much ours as much as it is the director’s.”

The Dreamers’ storylines are inspired by the real story of dance in Leeds – and specifically the example of RJC Dance, in Chapeltown.

As such, the show features lots of intricate dance routines based around the contemporary Afrobeat fusion style – arranged, in large part, by former professional dancer and choreographer Dawn Holgate.

Dawn, a Course Leader in HE Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds, said: “I had a wonderful experience working with the cast and crew. Part of my role was to bring together eleven cast members, most of whom were unfamiliar with each other, and create a sense of unity and camaraderie.

“Their on-screen presence needed to feel like a cohesive collective. It was exciting to experiment, workshop ideas, and play around.

“I’m so excited Dreamers is finally on our screens. It was an honour to be involved and to have played such a key role. Hopefully friends and colleagues will enjoy it.”

Ms Brabin, meanwhile, says West Yorkshire Combined Authority is taking steps to help others break into the performing arts. She said: “I want every creative to have the same opportunities that I had, which is why we’re stepping up with tangible support for freelancers and microbusinesses, and investing over £60 million to provide training opportunities to everyone who needs them.”

Leeds City College, Leeds Conservatoire and University Centre Leeds are all members of Luminate Education Group.

Forward-thinking investment’: Luminate chief executive welcomes £10m boost for Leeds post-16 places

Written by James Beaumont on April 1, 2025. Posted in News

Luminate Education Group chief executive, Colin Booth, has described a £10 million funding boost for Leeds as a “positive development” that could help address the city’s post-16 education capacity challenges – provided it is directed towards the areas of greatest need.

The funding, announced by the Department for Education (DfE), is part of a wider £322 million package, including £302 million in college condition allocations (FECCA) for colleges across England. The investment aims to support urgent repairs and improvements to college estates – such as fixing leaking roofs and deteriorating buildings – while also responding to a nationwide increase in student numbers.

Leeds and Greater Manchester were each awarded an additional £10 million in post-16 capacity funding to help them manage a significant surge in 16 to 19 year olds expected in 2025 – 26. In Leeds, projections show this age group will continue to grow until 2030, reaching close to 30,000 young people.

Colin welcomed the announcement, saying: “Today’s announcement represents forward-thinking investment that could benefit both the local economy and young people right across the city. Over recent years, post-16 capacity constraints in Leeds have resulted in growing numbers of young people being unable to access suitable forms of post-16 education.”

The funding is designed to ensure more students can access education and training opportunities, but Colin warned that investment must be targeted carefully.

He explained that while A level provision in the city is relatively abundant – sometimes leading to competition between sixth forms – there are still major gaps in access, particularly in disadvantaged areas: “In Leeds, there is an oversupply and competition between sixth forms for A level students. But in the most disadvantaged postcodes of Leeds, fewer than half of 16 year olds are able or want to study A levels. We need to prioritise expanding capacity in high-demand courses at Levels 1 and 2, and in technical areas like health and care – where the demand from learners and employers is greatest.”

The FECCA portion of the funding will be distributed to 179 college groups across England, based on factors such as recent learning hours, space requirements by subject, and local construction costs. Colleges will have discretion over how to use the funds to improve the condition and sustainability of their buildings, with an emphasis on meeting net zero targets and energy efficiency.

While the new investment marks a significant step forward, further action is likely to be needed in other regions also facing growing pressure on post-16 places. For Leeds, Colin’s comments underscore the importance of strategic planning that aligns funding with both local need and long-term outcomes.

Luminate CEO Colin Booth Responds to Spring Statement

Written by James Beaumont on March 26, 2025. Posted in News

Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Colin Booth, Chief Executive of Luminate Education Group, welcomed the recognition of rising NEET (not in education, employment or training) rates as a national challenge – but warned that without urgent investment in further education, the issue will only deepen.

Colin Booth, Chief Executive of Luminate Education Group, said:

“The Chancellor was right to emphasise growing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) as a barrier to economic growth and opportunity. Given projections for increased numbers of 16-18-year-olds in the coming years, urgent action is required to ensure NEET rates do not spiral out of control between now and 2030.

Ensuring there is capacity to provide education and training opportunities that lead into employment or further study represents a central mission for further education colleges and should represent a central pillar of the Government’s strategy to reduce NEET rates. Many colleges in areas with already above average NEET rates, such as Leeds, already operate at maximum capacity.

While the current funding environment is predictably tight, investment must be found to grow further education colleges’ student capacity if the Government is serious about reducing NEET rates. Alongside this, it’s critical investment is matched with adequate funding that reduces college teacher recruitment and retention difficulties, as without the staff to educate and train growing numbers of young people, the NEET rate will predictably only rise further.”

As numbers of young people increase nationally, Booth’s message is clear: colleges must be equipped with the space and staffing to deliver on their mission – helping every young person find a meaningful route into work or further learning.

Contact Luminate Education Group

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