More than 70 children of various ages, older residents of care home and local families around the city came together at Metropolis Bar & Restaurant, PET-Xi’s training restaurant on Earl Street, to celebrate the grand occasion.
There was also royal representation at the banquet with Sir John Crabtree, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midland and Lady Diana Crabtree, along with Coventry’s Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress and many well-known Coventry councillors and dignitaries.
The food and drink served at Metropolis, run by leading training provider PET-Xi Training, was prepared by students taking PET-Xi’s ‘Step into Hospitality’ programme, and funded by the PET-Xi Foundation – money raised by staff to help young people and charities in the city. Many PET-Xi staff were also there to help out.
The programme aims to help young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) learn the basics of cooking in a professional kitchen, delivering front-of-house service, and budgeting and delivering large catering events to achieve their level 2 qualification before they start work.
Fleur Sexton, CEO of PET-Xi, said: “We wanted to do something special for the community to mark the coronation and our trainees wanted to do this as part of their Step into Hospitality programme funded by the WMCA.
“PET-Xi has worked with Coventry City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority Community for many years to help looked-after children, as the barriers to finding work for youngsters coming out of the care system are a lot easier to overcome with good support.
“We thought it would be fitting to throw them a party for the King’s coronation as there are many people who wouldn’t get a chance to celebrate over the weekend, and we also wanted to invite those at care homes to share in the festivities so everyone had the chance to celebrate.
“Everyone really enjoyed the food and drink and the activities during the event, and it was a lovely way for the attendees to experience such a historic moment for the country.
“It was a fantastic occasion and I’m so proud of the trainees for putting on such a wonderful banquet. They all received a thank you letter from HRH King Charles III & HRH Queen Camilla which was a really fantastic surprise!”