Universalis

Friday 10 August 2012

The Highest University in the Land - 35

Perth College UHI is not afraid of addressing tough issues when providing professional training for its students. Small wonder the students rate the College so high.



Former head chef at London's Ritz Hotel, Michael Quinn spoke recently to participants of the professional chef award course.

Although he spoke of his success at the five-star hotel and cooking for the Queen, he also had a cautionary tale for the youngsters.

He was an alcoholic only 10 years after being headhunted so Michael is embarking on a tour of colleges as part of his work with the Ark Foundation, a charity he founded to educate the hospitality industry on alcohol and drug abuse.

Ian Gibb, Perth College UHI curriculum manager for hospitality, tourism and sport, said, "The students enjoyed Michael's talk immensely as he described the highs and lows of his life and the harmful effects and behavioural patterns produced by excessive drinking and drug use."

Michael said, "You are surrounded by alcohol all the time in the hospitality industry, working long hours under pressure, sometimes leading to binge drinking, which can be dangerous.

"My addiction nearly killed me and I'm determined to help others not fall into the same black hole that I did."

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