Today I was delighted to attend The Hospitality Network lunch where Gary Hunter and Ruston Toms launched The PM Cafe at Westminster Kingsway College.

Gary Hunter introduced the college which is renowned for its catering courses. With a history of over 100 years, it has seen some famous alumni start their training here, including Jamie Oliver, Ben Murphy, Ainsley Harriett, Anthony Worrell Thompson to name just a few.

Gary Hunter is one of the Trustees of The PM Trust, and together with Chairman of The PM Trust Ruston Toms, the launch of The PM Cafe was announced. The main purpose of The PM Trust is to make hospitality a career choice for young people and to assist them further with their training and development in the industry. It helps to remove the barriers by giving financial assistance to young people aged between 16 and 24 years.

The original PM club was an afternoon club (hence the PM) for young hotel and restaurant workers to meet and relax and it provided accommodation for those that needed it. The likes of Jason Atherton and Marcus Wearing were members that stayed at the PM Club and it helped to start their careers in London. The PM Club closed its doors in 2002 when the premises were sold. Even though the premises are no more, The PM Trust lives on and has now launched The PM Cafe.

The PM Cafe

The PM Cafe is currently based in The Vincent Rooms at Westminster Kingsway College and will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for those working in the hospitality industry that need a place to have a coffee and a chat with fellow industry colleagues.