Bristol Bound: A Flavour-Filled Day for Our Degree Apprentices
Our WSH Management Degree Apprentices headed to Bristol for their very first morning, noon and night experience – and it was a full-on, flavour-packed day that gave them real insight into what makes an unforgettable food and beverage offer.
Morning: Coffee, Creativity & Cupping
The day kicked off with a visit to Extract Coffee Roasters, where the apprentices dived headfirst into the world of speciality coffee. Guided by national account manager, Max, they learned how coffee isn’t just coffee – it’s a craft.
They explored the flavour wheel, getting stuck into the sensory side of things – sniffing, tasting and slurping their way through Brazilian and Colombian roasts. From washed to natural processes, they were shown how processing impacts flavour and discovered that a great flat white should taste of chocolate and caramel.
Armed with 18g of coffee in the basked, they practiced pulling espresso shots, learned the importance of tamping and purging and had a go at pouring their own flat whites.
Noon: A Street Food Safari
Next up, a walk to Temple Quay Market – Bristol’s buzzing street food hub. The apprentices had an hour to explore and tuck into global flavours from local traders, including FUEL partner Big Nath’s BBQ serving sweet and smoky Texan flavours, buttermilk fried chicken wings, smashed burgers and Greek souvlaki wraps. It was a chance to see how independent vendors stand out, chat about menus and presentation and of course – taste their way through Bristol’s best bites.
Night: Drinks with a View
The afternoon took the apprentices to the EQ Building, where they gathered in the stunning seventh-floor event space overlooking the city.
Our beverage trainer, Chloe, ran a session on how to step up your beverage game throughout the day – with refreshing mint tea lemonades and mocktail-style mojitos on the menu.
To finish, the brilliant Bristol Beer Factory hosted a session on craft beer – from brewing methods to flavour profiles, sparking conversations about how beer fits into modern menus and customer experiences.
Degree apprentice, Lily Walden said: “We chose to host the day in Bristol because the city has an exciting food and beverage scene that many of our apprentices were yet to experience. The best part for me was seeing the passion from local suppliers Bristol Beer Factory and Extract that goes into creating beverages with a purpose”.
More Than Just a Day Out
Throughout the day, there were plenty of laughs, sharing of stories and new skills learnt along the way. Degree Apprentice Henry Munro said: “It was a great time to catch up with fellow apprentices to share experiences about the programme and get tips from the older cohorts”.
WSH Apprenticeships Manager, Stephanie Molyneaux said: “The South West region continues to be a key player in championing apprenticeships. Trips like this are more than just educational—they’re vital. They spark new ideas, foster collaboration, and help apprentices bring fresh thinking back to their own locations. A huge well done to everyone involved in making the day such a success!”
These hands-on experiences show exactly what our Management Degree Apprenticeship is about – learning by doing, collaborating, and staying curious. Bristol brought the inspiration, and our apprentices brought the energy.
We can’t wait to see how they put all this flavour and learning into practice.