February – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Edinburgh College Open Days

Edinburgh College is all set to welcome prospective new students considering starting a course in August 2026 to its annual Open Days event.

The event starts on the 3rd of February and runs until the 7th across all four of our campuses, offering an opportunity to meet our curriculum teams, learn more about the subjects that are available, tour our impressive facilities, as well as find out details about the application process and how funding works.

Open Days begins at the Midlothian Campus on Tuesday the 3rd of February, running from 4pm until 7pm, followed by Milton Road on the 4th of February from 4pm to 7pm, Sighthill on the 5th from 4pm to 7pm, and finally Granton on the 7th of February, between 10am and 1pm.

Members of staff will be on hand to answer any questions, and to help to guide you around our campuses.

There will be subject-specific sessions on offer for a limited number of subject areas, which can be booked online.

The event gives prospective students a unique opportunity to experience our campuses first-hand, and get an idea of what life at Edinburgh College can look like. There are a wide variety of subjects to consider, with our various Schools teaching everything from Construction to Cookery, and Acting & Performance to Accounting.

There are courses available that cater to students at any point in their education, including beginner-level courses, pathways to university, and continuous development courses. Learners at any stage of their career or journey in education will be able to learn what their future could hold at Edinburgh College by coming along to our Open Days.

Edinburgh College’s Principal, Audrey Cumberford, says it’s an exciting time for the College, and any prospective new students: “It’s always amazing being able to open our campuses every February to welcome so many people who are considering taking their next step at Edinburgh College.

“Our Open Days represent a perfect opportunity for anyone considering furthering their education to find out what’s on offer here at the College, to explore all of our facilities, and learn what support will be available to them.

“I can’t recommend enough coming along to our events if you’re curious about what Edinburgh College can do for you and your future.”

Attendees can drop in or book a place on subject-specific sessions.

For more information and to book a place at one of the open days, visit the Edinburgh College website.

Commons Club serves up a global gastronomic dining experience

Commons Club, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s flagship restaurant, will bring a new and exclusive culinary experience to its dining offering, The Chef’s Table

Guests will be given a taste of the finest cuisine from around the world through an internationally themed menu each month throughout 2024

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s flagship restaurant, Commons Club, is set to offer a new and unique dining experience, immersing guests in a global culinary journey through collaborations with globally renowned chefs.

Beginning in February, the month-long takeovers will give guests a taste of the finest cuisine from around the world through internationally themed menus as part of Commons Club’s exclusive dining offering, The Chef’s Table, which gives guests a front row seat to experience the creativity behind the culinary craft.

With prices starting at £75 per person, the exclusive menus will draw on inspiration from the finest international flavours. From Peru to Japan, Chef de Cuisine Emma Hanley will collaborate with chefs from around the world to carefully curate bespoke six course tasting menus featuring global culinary delights from their own kitchens.

To begin the series, The Chef’s Table will go to Japan with a menu that allows guests to experience authentic oriental flavours with a twist and paired perfectly with locally sourced ingredients such as the Pan Seared Halibut, caught inScottishwater.

As the Pièce de résistance, this menu features Japanese Black Wagyu Ribeye from Kagoshima Prefecture – of A3 to A5 grade, the highest rating of this delicacy. Praised for its marbling, Wagyu is widely renowned as the best beef in the world and boasts a buttery flavour, tenderness, and juiciness unmatched by other steaks.

Showcasing an array of delicious Japanese inspired treats, guests can also expect an Amuse Bouche of Miso soup, followed by Seven Spiced Seared Tuna, rounded off with the Cherry Blossom and Petit Fours, yuzu pâte de fruits, sesame ice cream cones, which promise a sweet conclusion to an extraordinary dining experience.

Tying in with the flavours of Japan, Commons Club has also partnered with House of Suntory – a House of Japanese artisans, crafting world-class spirits, inspired by Japanese nature and mastered with Japanese craft – to curate a cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with The Chef’s Table dishes.

Expertly chosen by Commons Club’s Head Mixologist, Leon Back, each drink has been skilfully mixed to complement the flavour profile of every dish, from the Japanese Inspired White Negroni, Roku gin, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Martini Ambrato, Lucky Orange liqueur, to the Umami Flavoured Manhattan, featuring Toki Whiskey, Martini Rhubino, Aelder and soy sauce.

Emma Hanley, Chef de Cuisine at Commons Club, said: “Offering a completely unique experience for guests, we want to create an exclusive evening of dining to remember, with the highest quality ingredients and collaborations with world renowned chefs along the way.

“Scotland is home to some of the highest quality produce and we want to showcase that in our Chef’s Table offering, incorporating the best local ingredients with different tastes from around the world. We’re working on a series of menus for the rest of 2024 that aim to excite, inspire, and let our guests try something new.”

With world renowned chef partners still to be announced, takeover highlights for 2024 also include:

February: A trip to the country of the Rising Sun for Japan with Emma Hanley, Chef de Cuisine at Commons Club
March: The Chef’s Table goes to Greece with Kostas Papathansiou, Head Chef at Harrods
April: The Chef’s Table goes to Portugal and Spain
May: The Chef’s Table goes to Peru
June: The Chef’s Table goes to Italy with Stefano Battani, Head Chef at Cucine Nervi
July & August: The Chef’s Table goes to Scotland
September: The Chef’s Table goes to France
October: The Chef’s Table goes to the Middle East
November & December: The Chef’s Table goes to Great Britain

Running throughout the month from Thursday to Saturday weekly from 7pm, The Chef’s Table can be booked exclusively as a private event or for individual diners, where guests can expect an intimate three-hour sociable dining experience on a long-shared table.

With more exciting collaborations still to be announced, you can find out more information about Commons Club and The Chef’s Table experience here:

https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/eat-drink/commons-club/

For reservations, visit: Commons Bar & Restaurant – VH Edinburgh Reservations (sevenrooms.com)

You can also follow along on social media here: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Edinburgh College set to open its doors to prospective students during February Open Days

Edinburgh College is set to open its doors for four open days this February to showcase its facilities to those considering applying for a full-time course in August 2023.

The College, which has campuses across the capital region, is hosting open days across all four of its campuses to allow prospective students to find out about the courses they can apply for, and to also see first-hand what it’s like to study at Edinburgh College.

Sighthill Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Tuesday 7 February, Milton Road Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Thursday 9 February, Midlothian Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Tuesday 21 February and Granton Campus will be open from 10am-1pm on Saturday 25 February.

Prospective students, parents, guardians, business owners and those in employment are invited to head to College campuses to find out more about course options, funding options and accommodation, and to also meet representatives from Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA).

The College offers courses and professional training across a wide range of subjects within the Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Science, and Tourism, Hospitality and Business.

Learners at any stage of their career or education journey will be able to find out more about the College’s beginner-level courses, pathways to university, short courses, and continuous professional development courses.

Guided tours of campus facilities will also take place during the events, with staff on hand to answer any questions and to provide demonstrations along the way.

Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming prospective students onto our campuses and giving them the chance to find out what it’s like studying at the College.

“Whether you’re a school leaver, looking to boost your current qualifications, or wanting to learn a new skill, the open days are a fantastic opportunity to find out more about the courses we have on offer. I encourage anyone who’s thinking about studying with us to come along.”