STUDENTS from the Thomas Hardye School proved they could handle the heat in the kitchen as they took over the running of a Dorchester cafe.

A total of 11 Year 12 Food Technology pupils prepared, cooked and served a two-course lunch menu at Cafe 11 at the town’s Goulds department store.

Over a week they served a total of 50 lunches under the guidance of cafe manager Peggy Walder and received positive feedback from customers for the taste and presentation of their food.

The arrangement with Goulds has become a regular fixture in recent years and one which community and guidance tutor Richard Cain said was highly valued.

He said: “We are extremely grateful to have established such an excellent partnership with Goulds, one which is greatly valued by our students in the way it provides them with such a realistic opportunity to put their culinary skills to the test.

“Peggy and Rebecca Murphy, human resources manager at Goulds, have both been extremely supportive of our students and we are grateful to Goulds for giving them an insight into the pressures and conditions under which professionals in catering work.”