Craven College Brassiere Skipton (from Craven Herald)

I'M really sorry to be the one to tell you this, but as the nights are drawing in, and the female population is obsessing about the perfect pair of boots, it can only mean one thing - Christmas is drawing near.

In fact, I was informed this week that it is only eight weeks away. Eight weeks! That's only two pay days, so we all have to start watching our pennies and meals out are often the first thing to go.

I am, therefore, proud to announce that this week I bring you an excellent three course lunch for only £15.90 for two.

The catering students at Craven College have opened their brasserie and are serving lunch from Tuesday to Thursday, as well as morning coffee and cakes and a planned series of evening events. Booking is advisable.

We were seated in a pleasant, airy restaurant (no sign of college canteen) and immediately brought a plate of warm, freshly-baked rolls while we chose our meal.

Starters were either bacon and avocado salad or carrot and coriander soup. We had one of each and both were excellent. My husband claims not to like carrot soup, but declared this one delicious.

The main courses were coq au vin or fish pie and again we tried both. I have eaten at colleges before and find that one of the most notable things about the cooking is the accuracy of the dishes.

My fish pie was densely packed with (I think) trout, haddock and prawns, with a lovely breadcrumb topping and an intense fishiness which suggested fresh fish stock.

The coq au vin was in a rich sauce with bacon and shallots. Both dishes were accompanied by glazed carrots, courgettes with tomato and wonderful potato towers.

Again there were two choices of dessert - fruit salad and ice cream, or chocolate sponge pudding with chocolate custard.

Now I am not normally a chocolate sponge kind of girl, but I have to tell you, this was wonderful. It was light and not overly sweet and showed not a hint of the cloying stickiness common in this dessert. The dark chocolate drops melting into the custard were sublime.

My husband enjoyed his fruit salad too, which had a good selection of fresh pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, apple and banana.

We finished off with coffee and were amazed to discover the whole meal had only taken an hour-and-a-quarter. The service had been attentive and prompt, but managed not to make us feel rushed.

It is good to know our local college is producing results like this and promising for all those involved in the tourist or hospitality industries. So if you want to support your local young people and bag a bargain meal in the process, head down to the college. Candy Squire-Watt

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