The Aurora Group | Special Needs & Disability (SEND) Schools

The students were invited to demonstrate their hospitality skills at the Waldorf Hotel to mark the 10^th anniversary of hotel group Hilton’s partnership with Aurora Foxes. During this time, the collaboration has provided 89 work placements with 15 former students currently employed in roles with Hilton.

The students got involved in all aspects of the process from preparing and plating the food to serving.

A number of special guests were invited to attend the event including actresses Emma Barton and Grace who play mother and daughter Honey and Janet Mitchell in EastEnders and Xanthe Clay, food critic with the Daily Telegraph.

The menu included smoked salmon and citrus crème fraîche on wholemeal bread and truffle egg mayonnaise, watercress and dill on beetroot bread. Among the patisseries was a macaroon inspired by vintage sweet-shop flavours and Aurora Foxes’ college colours that was co-created by six students and their chef tutor, Kevin Hinder, alongside the Waldorf’s Executive Head Chef, Malcolm Camilleri.

The event also provided Hilton with an opportunity to reveal the results of a survey it carried out in May which found that a lack of visible role models in the workplace was a major barrier to seeking employment for adults with learning difficulties such as Down’s Syndrome, Autism and Asperger’s.

Speaking at the event, Stephen Cassidy, Senior Vice President, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said: “Both Aurora Foxes and Hilton have embarked on a shared mission to break down barriers. Together, we’ve helped build a more inclusive hospitality industry. When people are seen, they are valued and when they are valued they thrive.”

Together, we’ve helped build a more inclusive hospitality industry. When people are seen, they are valued and when they are valued they thrive.

Aurora Foxes Principal, Mark Costello said: “Through our partnership with Hilton, we’ve seen first-hand how opportunities such as this can be transformational, inspiring our students to see hospitality as a place where they can thrive, and create their own story.

“And, importantly, through experiences like this, they are becoming visible role models, showing others what is possible when we remove barriers and embrace inclusion.

“Providing such a high-profile experience of the hospitality industry is invaluable for those at the college who are seeking employment and we’re hugely grateful to Hilton for not only highlighting the valuable role people with learning difficulties can play, but also for highlighting the importance of hiring, supporting and celebrating employees with learning difficulties, particularly in customer-facing service roles across sectors such as hospitality and retail.”

Aurora Foxes student, Hugo Gilmartin, said a lot of work had gone into planning the afternoon tea and he really enjoyed the experience.

He said: “We prepared well and all our practising paid off. We had various discussions with Hilton in advance to decide how the event would work. I was appointed one of the front-of-house leaders and another student led on back-of-house duties.

“It’s been amazing! To get the experience of serving different people in an unfamiliar environment has been great. And there was such a relaxed vibe. It made the occasion very special.”

Addressing the students after the event, the Waldorf’s General Manager, Guy Hilton, said: “Thank you for the finest afternoon tea service ever delivered in this hotel.”