Industry Spotlight - Cardo Restaurant
Tourism and Hospitality are Scotland’s largest industries and currently looking for staff to address shortages, so there are excellent job opportunities on offer.. With highly commended programmes delivered in partnership with the crème de la crème of industry professionals, we offer invaluable skills to prepare our students for their career. We are also committed to continually upskilling our staff, to benefit our students and their learning experience. Hospitality and Professional Cookery Lecturer, Shirley Simpson, gained some valuable industry experience from Cardo restaurant in Perth, and she tells us how she got on 👇
I had been lucky enough to build links with Cardo Restaurant in Perth throughout the last year, as one of my HND Professional Cookery students - Denny Pereira - works there. Through Denny, I was able to organise a brilliant online presentation and talk by Paula who owns the very popular and busy Mediterranean restaurant along with her husband Herve. Paula told the students about their Cardo journey, and I was so impressed with Paula’s commitment to her team and the success story of their business - especially in the last year - that I asked if I could join the Cardo team for two days during the summer break.
I was really interested to see first-hand how they were operating their very popular take away/delivery offering, as well as also having some experience of the main restaurant too. Paula, Herve and team offered me a really warm welcome and Denny took me under his wing, firstly guiding me through the take-away side of the business. What a fast-paced system they have! So many ways of ordering food for take away – PerthLocal.co.uk portal, their own Cardo Restaurant App, Hungrr portal, phone, and the Just Eat App. You really have to be on the ball with so many orders coming in at the same time! Denny was patient with me and offered clear instructions on how to manage this area and it is clear what an important part of this business the takeaway offering is. The kitchen was very efficient at preparing the freshly cooked meals, all well within the time given on the delivery order and the customer really does get value for money with well-presented and delicious food.
The next day, I was “back to my roots” and on the floor for a busy lunch service in the main restaurant. What a lovely, relaxed atmosphere amongst staff and customers alike and once again under Denny’s watchful eye, I really enjoyed engaging with the customers who were just delighted to be in for a Cardo’s experience. It is very clear that staff training is paramount as the service was slick and smooth and exceptional customer service is a real focus too. There were a few tables of regular customers who come week in-week out and have a lovely relationship established with Paula and her team.
For me – it was great to be back in industry, particularly now after so many challenges have been faced and hospitality businesses are under so much pressure with staff shortages and bumper bookings. I loved the buzz of a busy restaurant service, and it was brilliant to be part of such a success story even only for a couple of days! A huge thank you to Paula and Herve for allowing me to come in for a Cardo experience and to Denny for keeping me right in all aspects of both the takeaway and the restaurant service. A fantastic experience for me to be back in industry!
Denny said: "It was a pleasure having Shirley around at Cardo and being able to demonstrate how the business has adapted under the current circumstances. For us students, actions like these demonstrate the level of commitment our lecturers at Perth College UHI have in delivering an education and training that really reflect the current practices in our industry."
