Landmarks Specialist College learners visit Burton upon Trent for a behind-the-scenes tour and hands-on cooking experience.
Learners from Landmarks Specialist College visited the Greene King head office on Monday (3 March 2026) for a unique behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to work at the highest level of one of the UK’s most popular pub companies.
Landmarks Specialist College empowers young adults aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities to develop independence, life skills and employment opportunities. Based in Eckington, the college operates across five sites throughout the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
During the visit to Greene King’s headquarters in Burton upon Trent, learners were given a guided tour by Head of Food and Product Innovation Jason Radbourn, who introduced them to the work that goes on behind the scenes of a major national pub chain.
After a morning spent learning about the hospitality industry, learners were given the chance to get hands-on in Greene King’s specialist food and product innovation kitchens – the space where many of the company’s popular menu items are created and tested.
Jason teamed up with Landmarks alumni and Food Development Assistant Dan North to deliver a practical cooking masterclass. Under their guidance, learners prepared and plated a range of classic pub dishes to a professional standard, including fish and chips, cheesy meltdown burgers and ultimate mixed grills.
Dan also demonstrated the skills he has developed during his time with the food and product innovation team by cooking a special Vietnamese chicken dish.
Jason Radbourn said:
“Welcoming the learners from Landmarks to our headquarters was a fantastic opportunity to show them how much work goes into developing the food served across our pubs. Seeing them get stuck in, learn new techniques and cook with such enthusiasm was brilliant. It’s important that we help open doors for the next generation of talent.”
Landmarks learner Natty Beckett, who studies on the Employability Pathway at The Archer – Landmarks’ training pub in Mansfield, said:
“I was really impressed with the kitchen and how quickly you can cook a meal. I made gammon, egg and chips in no time at all. It’s really demonstrated to me that this is something I could do, and it’s an amazing feeling knowing there are opportunities like this out there.”
Learners at Landmarks gain real-world experience through practical learning environments such as The Archer, where they develop hospitality skills while working towards qualifications in hospitality and catering.
Angie Melluish, spokesperson for the Landmarks Wayfinder team said:
“The Greene King day is hugely insightful for our learners. Not only do our learners get the opportunity to try out the kitchen facilities to make meals to Greene King specifications they get to hear about all of the different opportunities available within the hospitality and catering sector. Our learners got to hear from a former Landmarks learner, Dan, who undertook his supported internship within the Greene King Development Team and subsequently was employed. This was hugely beneficial to our learners to hear from a previous learner about their experience.”
