Overview
This tour will give members the opportunity to compare traditional and modern collegiate catering models, understand how Cambridge colleges support diverse and international student communities, and explore how conference, events and retail activity can strengthen commercial income.
Who is this for?
This tour is ideal for:
- Heads of Catering and Events
- Operations and Commercial Managers
- Head Chefs
- Hospitality and Events Leads
- International Student Services teams
- Sustainability and ESG leads within catering
Why should I take part?
Cambridge offers a unique blend of heritage, innovation and practical operational insight. Across the tour, delegates will visit a mix of colleges, university sites and city food concepts to explore:
- Modern college dining versus traditional formal models
- Catering for international and diverse student communities
- Commercial income through conferences, events and alumni activity
- Retail, grab-and-go and café models within university environments
- Sustainability, local sourcing and plant-forward food trends
- Transferable ideas for TUCO member institutions
How will it help me?
The study tour will include a blend of institutional insight, peer discussion and city-wide food trend exploration, including:
- Wolfson College catering and operations deep dive
- Visits to contrasting Cambridge colleges
- West Cambridge innovation campus
- Conference and events commercial insight
- Cambridge food trend exploration
- Punting experience between college sites
- Networking dinners at Wolfson College and Cambridge colleges TBC
- Final reflection session focused on practical takeaways for members
Key Learning Outcomes?
By the end of the tour, delegates will have:
- Practical ideas for improving campus retail and dining offers
- Insight into commercialising catering operations
- Approaches to supporting diverse student populations
- Inspiration from independent, artisan and experience-led food businesses
- Stronger peer connections across the TUCO network
What’s included?
- Overnight accommodation during your stay
- All site visits
- Food and drink each day
What’s not included?
Anything not listed on the itinerary including, but not limited to:
- Additional drinks, room service, trips not on the itinerary etc.
Provisional Itinerary:
A provisional itinerary and costs will be made available closer to the time. Final itineraries will be emailed approx. 1 week prior to the event commencement.
