Thirteen Edinburgh College Hospitality students served up a treat at the R&A’s prestigious, annual dinner at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews.

The, three chefs and ten front of house, from a range of Professional Cookery and Hospitality courses serving to a room packed with 435 guests.

Formed in 2004 and based in St Andrews, The R&A engages in and supports activities undertaken for the benefit of the sport of golf.

Despite deriving its name from the members’ golf club, The R&A is separate and distinct from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

It’s the second consecutive year Edinburgh College students have supported the event, which is the R&A’s biggest dinner of the year for members.

The students served up a three course meal consisting of: pressed confit chicken and ham hough terrine; fillet of prime black isle beef with wholegrain mustard mash, confit shallot, forest mushrooms, haricot vert and madeira jus; and greenkeepers lemon posset with raspberry silk and coconut meringue.

Shannon McNeil said: “It was a brilliant experience to work as part of the team to serve so many guests. I loved spending time in another professional kitchen, working alongside trained chefs in a really fast-paced environment.”

Justin Jones said: “I had a really great time working at the R&A’s annual dinner. It’s great to get the chance to come to places like this and work in their kitchens – getting hands on experience working alongside top chefs is something I want to do as much of as possible while I’m at college.”

Professional Cookery and Hospitality lecturer Richard Morris supported the students during the event.

He said: “It was a wonderful evening and I can’t thank our students enough for their hard work and commitment throughout the event. The R&A were delighted with the high standard of food and service our students produced on the night.

“The students should be very proud of themselves. Experiences like these are invaluable as they expose students to different working environments with different customers and clients which can only benefit their long term development, ensuring they’re ready for industry when they leave the college.

“A huge thank you to the Fairmont hotel for providing our students with a chance to work at such a prestigious event.”