A WONDERFUL year for the Year 11 catering group of Okehampton College has been capped off with the news that three students will study at the prestigious Michael Caines Academy next year.

Emily Colling, Ben Hurley and Macauley Sandford went through three interview stages as well as sensory and skills tests to gain one of the 16 coveted places at the academy. James Curnow has had success of his own, gaining a place at Exeter Catering College.

The news tops off a strong year for the group.

Last year the group was asked to help with the catering of a wedding with 250 guests. The following weekend, they then successfully catered for the Ride Across Britain cycle event, which was the penultimate stage and overnight stop.

The students prepared, cooked and served an evening meal and a breakfast for a total of 680 people.

In March a team of three members and one reserve entered a competition at Plymouth College, producing a three course meal for two in two hours using nominated ingredients.

The team came third.