Catering students from The King’s School served up a feast for guests to raise £4,000 for good causes.

Sidmouth Herald: Pupils from the Kings School cooked up a storm at their charity dinner,Pupils from the Kings School cooked up a storm at their charity dinner, (Image: Archant)

The team of 17 took over the kitchen at the award-winning Salty Monk in Sidford to prepare a seven-course meal from scratch for diners last Wednesday.

Restaurant owners Andy and Annette Witheridge and teacher Deborah Capon watched on as the young chefs enjoyed a taste of working in a professional kitchen, preparing food for 50 customers.

Andy said: “The school’s ethos is they are not allowed any shortcuts, nothing premade. We have the ethos that they have no shortcuts. They have to work the same as we do. They were here at 9.15am and it was gone midnight when they left. They were buzzing, they could not sleep when they got home.”

The experience also tested the pupils’ front-of-house responsibilities and serving dishes on time during the evening.

Andy added: “They’re expected to know what everybody ordered. We expect them to take an order down and get that order right.”

Industry experts joined family and friends and representatives from the school’s chosen charities to enjoy the meal.

Money raised on the evening will be split between the Ottery Help Scheme, The Baton charity and the school.