In 1964 the Warrenpoint ‘Tech' opened a Catering department. Then two years later in 1966, Mr. Hugh Bennett, was appointed Head of the Catering Department and began the tradition of making Christmas puddings for sale to the general public. The same year Hugh Browne began his career as a Commis Chef student and went on to join the staff of the Newry Catering College in 1979. In 1967 the catering department moved to Corry Square in Newry and whilst still a part of the Newry ‘Tech', it became known locally as the ‘Newry Catering College'.
1991 saw the move from Corry Square to the new catering department built on the site of what was the ‘Newry pig market' in Patrick Street. Hugh Bennett had just retired and Ann Irvine as the new Head of School continued with the excellent record of education in Catering & Hospitality. Des Murphy, an ex student of the Newry Catering College 1977, was appointed Caterbase coordinator in the same year. Three years past and in 1994 Sandra Gorman was appointed as the new Head of School, inheriting the Christmas pudding tradition and Hugh Bennett's recipe, which continued on to her retirement in 2008.
Evelyn Mc Burney, who had been teaching in the Newry Catering College form 1987, was appointed the new Head of School and remains so to this day. Evelyn, like her predecessors, continued with long established and eagerly awaited Christmas pudding sales. The School of Hospitality & Tourism at Southern Regional College achieved Centre of Excellence status in 2000 of which it still holds, and attributes two of its strongest qualities, continuity and tradition, to this status.
Also in the photograph is ex student Lynette McMath who has been handed down Mr. Bennett's Christmas pudding recipe and has it in today's puddings for sale. Lynette, like many of the teaching staff in the School of Hospitality & Tourism, has progressed from being a Commis Chef working in the industry before returning to teaching within the school,enhancing the continuity.
