FORMER students of a city college have been sharing their memories and success stories as the education establishment nears its 70th birthday.

City College Southampton - originally called Southampton Technical College when it opened in June 1952 - is celebrating hitting the milestone this summer.

Hundreds of thousands of students and apprentices have come through its doors – including singer Craig David.

Now former students have been talking about their experience successes ahead of a community open day on Saturday, June 18.

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Among the most impressive alumni are previous hospitality students, Michelin Star chefs Paul Ainsworth and Simon Rogan and award-winning chocolatiers Mark Tilling and Kerry Witt.

Kerry, from the New Forest, used the knowledge and skills she gained at the college to develop her culinary skills and then to set up her own luxury chocolate business, Chocolate by Miss Witt.

Kerry said: “When I was at college, Michelin-starred chef Alex Aitken came to judge a competition. I wanted to be the best pastry chef, so I asked him for a job at his restaurant Le Poussin in Brockenhurst.

“Luckily he needed some help making chocolate truffles and I got the job! That chance meeting with Alex at college gave me the start I needed to move forward in my career.

“I have since been on festival stages with Alex demonstrating chocolate-making and I supply Southampton Harbour Hotel, where he is the Chef Patron, with my products.”

Today, Kerry’s company produces award-winning chocolates and she gives masterclasses in the art of chocolate. She uses single origin chocolate such as Cardenas, from Ecuador where the chocolate is grown on heritage cacao trees which have been in the family for many years.

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Principal Sarah Stannard said she has enjoyed hearing from past students.

She said: “We are delighted to have had such a great response from alumni and former members of staff who have given us a glimpse into the college's past and the achievements they have made in their careers. It’s not too late for former students and staff to get in touch at southampton-city.ac.uk/share

“We hope that many will come and see us at our community open day on Saturday, June 18 and see how the College has continued to develop.”

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