When Lakefield first began, it was known as The Cottage and it was functioning from provisional premises with small groups of trainees.

The Queen Mother opened the premises, naming Lakefield as a Housecraft and Educational Centre. It aimed at preparing students in nationally accredited qualifications in Housecraft, Institutional Cookery, and a range of complementary certificates.

As the Hospitality Industry in the UK gained momentum, and both the job market and further education underwent major changes, Lakefield registered under City and Guilds to offer industry specific qualifications, becoming known as Lakefield Catering and Educational Centre.

High level of excellence in NVQ training and assessment has characterised Lakefield Hospitality College from 1992 onwards.

In 1994 Lakefield closed down for refurbishment of its 1960’s facilities. It celebrated its re-opening in 1995 by inviting HRH the Duchess of Kent , who toured its state-of-the-art training facilities, and met and talked with tutors, parents and trainees.

Lakefield has becomed a name in Hospitality Industry Training. Some of its students’ and staff’s achievements include a silver medal in the 2004 Junior Pastry Chef Competition at the Birmingham Food and Drink Exhibition; the Compass Junior Chef of the Year Competition in 2005; and a City & Guilds Gold Medal of Excellence in Training and Lecturing for Hospitality Lecturer.

For the furtherance of excellence in Catering Education and supporting the promotion of the aims of the Guild, Lakefield was presented with the 2013/14 College Certificate by the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Lakefield continues to keep abreast of changes in employment and training to provide an up to date and comprehensive range of training opportunities, to meet today’s needs.