Guests stepped into a Wonderland-inspired afternoon tea experience at Ayrshire College’s Westerly Restaurant as Hospitality students transformed the venue for a Mad Hatter’s themed charity event in support of local organisation Beautiful Inside & Out.
Planned and delivered entirely by students, the event welcomed guests to an afternoon of themed food, mocktails, bingo and fundraising, raising £200 for the charity.
The immersive event was organised by Level 6 Hospitality with Event Management students Heather Dunsmuir, Cameron Bell, Jessica Cywinski and Elly Logan, alongside a group of Level 4 Hospitality with Professional Cookery students, as part of their studies in Event Management and Leadership in Hospitality.
Working alongside lecturers and staff at the Westerly Restaurant, students were responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering the event from start to finish. This included liaising with the charity, organising logistics, preparing food, decorating the restaurant and delivering customer service throughout the afternoon.
Guests enjoyed a themed afternoon tea inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland, complete with a complimentary welcome mocktail and a menu designed to reflect the playful “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” theme.
The event gave students the opportunity to experience the pace and professionalism of a live hospitality environment while developing practical skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, customer service and event management.
Heather Dunsmuir, Level 6 Hospitality with Event Management student, said:
Organising the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was such a rewarding experience. We were involved in every part of the planning and delivery, so it was amazing to see everything come together on the day and to know we were raising money for an important local charity at the same time. It’s definitely helped build my confidence and given me valuable experience for a future career in hospitality.
Claire Anderson, Hospitality Lecturer at Ayrshire College, said:
Events like this give students the chance to experience what it’s really like to work in hospitality. From event planning and customer service to teamwork and working under pressure, students were responsible for delivering a real experience for real guests. These hands-on opportunities are incredibly important in helping students build the confidence and industry-ready skills employers are looking for.
The Westerly Restaurant provides students with industry-standard learning experiences that help prepare them for careers across Ayrshire’s hospitality and tourism sector. Through live events and practical learning opportunities, students gain the confidence, professionalism and real-world experience needed to progress into the industry.