Marketing Activity
Press Releases
- Innovative Media Students Visit Broadcast Expo
- Hair Through The Ages Wows Judges at WKC
- Big Brother's Biggest Fan
- The Tanner Brothers Studied at WKC
- Better Than Business As Normal
- Regional Minister Visit
- Follow In The Footsteps Of Mungo
- West Kent College puts the fun into fundraising
- First Shoots
- Kent Maritime Event shows off our skills
- Graduating Students Make Us Proud
- ALL YOUR COURSE START INFORMATION
- A Level Students Make Us Proud
- Proud Students Show Off Car
- 90 FE Students nominated for Achievement Awards at WKC
Press & Media College News The Tanner Brothers Studied at WKC
The Tanner Brothers Studied at WKC
The Tanner Brothers
Why did you choose West Kent and what did you study?
West Kent always had an excellent reputation for further education studies. There is a 5 year age gap between us so we studied at different times. James studied a BTEC diploma and Chris studied the City & Guilds 706-1/ 706-2.
What you're doing now/how you got there.
We have built up our own restaurant group based in the South West, currently employing around 50 persons. Our flagship site Tanners was established in July 1999. Our brasserie, the Barbican Kitchen will have been open for 4 years in April 2010. We are also involved in the media, with James in his 7th year on Ready Steady Cook. We have written two books, and James is currently writing a book for release in Spring 2010.
2007 was a particularly exciting year: We were awarded Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Plymouth University for our services to the Hospitality Industry, and Tanners became the AA's Restaurant of the Year for England.
Did you have to do further study after West Kent?
The college was extremely good on guiding people towards further study if you needed it, however we both chose not to. We felt confident to go into our chosen industry immediately.
What's your most vivid memory of your time at West Kent?
Our college days were the best days of our lives. Looking back everyone was focused (well nearly everyone) and obviously wanted to go into their chosen industry, and therefore had a common purpose to succeed. The lecturers were very approachable and dedicated, and the organised trips were memorable. It still feels like yesterday!
Who's inspired you in your life?
Our Dad continues to inspire us. From the industry, for Chris it was the Roux Brothers, Albert and Michel. For James, Martin Blunos who owned restaurant Lettonie for some years. We now inspire each other (most of the time)
What advice would you give to a prospective WKC student?
You will not be disappointed! WKC has always been held in high esteem. As the industry changes, so does the WKC; keeping up to date with the latest trends whilst retaining the foundations of expertise and care that are so important in a modern world. Think carefully about your future plans and aspirations, and remember you can only succeed if you want to.
