IW College Hospitality Students Support The Burnt Chef Project at “Monochrome Monday” Charity Event

In January, the Isle of Wight College Hospitality and Catering department was honoured to be invited to work alongside the remarkable charity The Burnt Chef Project, contributing to an evening dedicated to wellbeing and support within the hospitality industry.

The Burnt Chef Project is a non‑profit social enterprise committed to improving mental health and sustainability across the global hospitality sector. Their work includes training, education, and vital support services aimed at creating a healthier, more resilient industry. The organisation’s reach is worldwide, with ambassadors located across the globe—including one very close to home.

One of these ambassadors is Alex Wibberley, a former Isle of Wight College student. Alongside his wife, Laurell, Alex approached the college to participate in this special event: Monochrome Monday, held at the beautiful East Afton Farmhouse.

A Collaborative Culinary Experience

For the event, Alex assembled a team of five talented Island chefs, each responsible for designing a course as part of an exquisite five‑course dinner. Our Hospitality and Catering department was given the exciting brief of creating three types of petit fours to accompany the coffee course.

Under the guidance of head chef Mike, students Grace, Alex, Fin, James, Joe, and Maya crafted an elegant trio of sweet treats:

• Chocolate & Nut Fudge
• Apricot Meringue
• Millionaire’s Shortbread

These handcrafted petit fours were all prepared in the training kitchen of the College restaurant before being expertly transported to the venue by front‑of‑house tutor Mark and kitchen tutor Jack. Both tutors then supported service throughout the evening, working alongside hospitality professionals from across the Island.

An Evening of Skill, Service & Community

With 120 guests attending, the event placed the kitchen and front‑of‑house teams under professional-level pressure—serving multiple courses with precision and care.
Jack and the kitchen team worked intensively behind the scenes, while Mark and the front‑of‑house students were entrusted with serving VIP tables, offering a real‑world glimpse into the demands and rewards of high‑level hospitality service.

The evening also featured a charity raffle, with generous donations from local businesses including Carvel Lane Coffee, Harvey Browns, and The Fine Cheese Co. Prizes ranged from dining experiences to locally sourced artisan food products.

Local MP Richard Quigley acted as MC for the night, and Kris Hall, CEO of The Burnt Chef Project, was in attendance to speak about the charity’s mission and impact.

A Successful Night for a Vital Cause

Thanks to the combined efforts of everyone involved, the event raised an incredible £12,000, all of which will support The Burnt Chef Project’s ongoing work to improve mental health within the hospitality industry.

The college is immensely proud of our students and staff for their professionalism, skill, and enthusiasm throughout the event. Opportunities like these provide invaluable real-world experience while supporting a cause that is genuinely changing lives.