Queen Visits to Brentford

And gets the royal treatment at Thames Valley University

The Queen and Prince Philip were given a welcome fit for royalty at a recent visit to Thames Valley University's (TVU) new Paragon building in Brentford.

And so they should do from a university with special links with the royal household through its recently launched butler training course.

The university also regularly supplies it with chefs, some of whom demonstrated their 'larder kitchen' talents, including fruit carving, preparing canapes and sugar spinning on the day.

Student Raymond Blinko was one of the trainees to show off his culinary skills to the Queen. And though she didn't know it she'd already had a taster.

"I did work experience in Buckingham Palace and Windsor cooking for the royal family over the summer, it was a great experience the kitchens are amazing, I would love to get a job there when I finish my training," he said.

The University's chancellor Lord Bilimoria told the queen to look in whenever's she's next passing.

"Hopefully when you pass by on the flyover, on your way from Windsor to London, you will see this building and think of Thames Valley University," he said:

A number of special guests were on hand to greet the royal party during the visit, including celebrity chefs Brian Turner CBE and Cyrus Todiwala MBE, both patrons of the university's school of hospitality and tourism.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Peter John, said: “Students and staff from across the university have been working hard on their contributions to the day.

“We were keen to showcase the mix of skills and talents of our students and highlight the breadth of courses we run at our campuses.

"We are extremely honoured that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have taken such an interest in the university and are delighted to demonstrate some of the courses we have on offer.”

A plaque was unveiled at the end of the royal visit to mark the official opening of Paragon House, which was named winner in the major housing project of the year category at the 2007 Building Awards.

February 27, 2009