Chef Lecturer Volta Bushay celebrates retirement at 35 years at WestKing

Students, staff and partners join alumni from WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts to say goodbye to Chef Lecturer Volta Bushay.

Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality has said a heartfelt farewell to Chef Lecturer Volta Bushay. After a remarkable 35-year tenure promoting excellence within the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Volta retired at the end of the academic year.

On 26 June, students, staff members, alumni and representatives from the culinary profession gathered at WestKing’s onsite restaurant, The Brasserie, to celebrate Volta’s career and outstanding achievements. 

During the event, guests celebrated with an excellent selection of food and drinks provided by WestKing’s hospitality lecturers as well as a retirement cake created by the Patisserie department. Paul Jervis and Miranda Quatrill expressed their thanks to Volta for her hard work and dedication and presented her with an engraved Flint & Flame knife, a bouquet of flowers and a framed photograph of the WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality team.

During her time at WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Volta played a pivotal role in the success of many students. As a result, a number of WestKing alumni attended the event to celebrate Volta and her remarkable career in culinary education.

Bobby Saunders, from the Law Society Chancery Lane, said “A remarkable Chef and teacher – a wonderful person. Chef Bushay has been that guiding light throughout my career and has always given me valuable advice that has steered me to become the best that I can be, I’m forever in debt to her.”

Kirsty Allen, Events Manager at The Good Food Guide, said: “I came because Chef Bushay was a memorable part of my time at Westminster, after 35 years of teaching it was great to be part of the celebration and join her retirement party. She was always able to make you feel like you mattered and had the ability to boost confidence like no one else. I’m now Head of Events for The Good Food Guide and I’m sure her unwavering belief in us has helped me get to where I am today.”

About Volta

Volta Bushay was drawn to culinary arts as she learnt to cook and feed her family from an early age. After being advised by a careers teacher to find work in a factory, she decided to enrol on a City and Guilds Hospitality course. Once she had completed her studies, she spent several years working in various hospitality roles. Her work led her to work as a Catering Trainer working with young offenders. 

In 1989, Volta joined WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality as a Catering Technician and began supporting teachers and lecturers in delivering a range of classes. She progressed within the school and enjoyed many highlights during her 35 years with the college and will miss engaging with students and witnessing their progress. 

There have been many highlights for Volta during her time at WestKing. She said: “I’ve enjoyed working with like-minded professionals and young people. I’ve had the opportunity to further progress my career and have met members of parliament and various celebrities over the years. I’ve loved watching students such as Jamie Oliver excel in the hospitality industry and put Westminster Kingsway College on the map.”

When asked how she plans to enjoy her retirement, Volta said: “I’m planning a world cruise, some home improvements and looking forward to spending quality time with my grandchild. It will be great to have free time to pursue my hobbies and enjoy a well-earned rest.”

As an integral part of the teaching team, Volta will be greatly missed by both staff and students.

We wish Volta the very best as she begins her well-deserved retirement!

Our teaching team at the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality has an exceptional reputation. You can explore our Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses and see if there’s a course that appeals to you.

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