Sami Bentahila, UK and Morocco
Diploma in Culinary Arts 2012, BA in International Food and Beverage Management 2015
Now working as chef-de-partie at Barnsley House Hotel and Spa in the Cotswolds, England
My name is Sami Bentahila. I started out studying hospitality management in Switzerland, but after doing an internship in kitchen in Brussels, I realized that culinary arts was what I really wanted to do. The Swiss university did not offer a speciality in this, so I moved to Alpine Center and I never regretted it. What was good was that at the same time we did lots of practical work and also the background subjects needed for management. The place is not too big, very friendly, and of course in a great location. I learned so much, but at the same time had lots of fun and made many good friends. The internships I did in Mykonos and Antwerp were a great chance to see different places and work in different environments.
Since leaving Alpine I have worked in several fine dining restaurants in France and the UK. At present I am at Barnsley House Hotel and Spa in the Cotswolds, England. It was selected by Condé Nast as one of their 100 top hotels in the world in 2016. The hotel has a huge garden producing all the fruit, veg, herbs, etc for the restaurant, so I have really learned the value of seasonal local ingredients. The work is very tough,with long hours and a lot of stress, but I get so much satisfaction when I know I have created a really good dish, especially when customers send their compliments. It also keeps you very fit!
You need patience, stamina and determination for this career, but if this is your thing, you will just keep going pursuing your dream… If this kind of work appeals to you, Alpine Center is a good place to start!
