Harris Morden students visit The Ritz
A group of Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students from Harris Academy Morden were the first school group to be hosted by the Ritz Hotel!
The students were wowed by the grandeur and opulence, marvelling at how incredibly plush everything was, including – perhaps especially – the bathrooms!
They were treated to a tour of one of the deluxe rooms, charged at a mere £1500 per night, where they took in the floor to ceiling marble tiled en suite bathroom, bedroom and living space.
Students were able to speak with the window cleaner, who was harnessed to the internal wall and standing on an external ledge, learning more about health and safety considerations in hotels. He told us that he cleaned the windows once a month and that there were approximately 600 pieces of glass on the hotel’s façade, so our students very kindly offered to help.
Students were then escorted to the main kitchen by the PA to the Executive Chef, who talked the students through how their brigade system works. The students decided this would be the perfect time to show off their knowledge, questioning her on health and safety practices, asking where the fire exits were and speaking with goods in about their delivery system. They also noted that the kitchen had been awarded both a Michelin Star and a Rosette. They even had hydroponic fridges, growing herbs and edible nasturtium and viola flowers in-house.
The chefs had prepared some shortbread, which the students devoured, and provided some Hildon water, which in their words was the best water they had ever tasted.
Students then had a chance to speak to the receptionist who spoke about checking in guests. She said most guests stay a night or two, a week or occasionally, even lived with them - One guest had taken up residence for 4 years! Then the concierge spoke to the students about his progression from Page Boy to Head Concierge, detailing his role across 43 years of service.
It was an extraordinary experience, that would not have been possible without the support of The Ritz, and one the students will treasure for years to come.