Bookings for the University College Isle of Man’s (UCM) popular Christmas lunches at its Oastan Training Restaurant will open on October 22.

The annual Christmas Bookings Coffee Morning will take place from 8.30am to 10.30am, giving visitors the first opportunity to reserve tables for this year’s festive dining services.

Attendees will be able to enjoy tea, coffee and festive cake while finding out more about the Christmas menus and meeting members of the restaurant’s hospitality team.

A spokesperson from UCM commented: ‘The Oastan training restaurant's Christmas lunches have become a seasonal favourite, combining delicious festive dining with the opportunity to support students as they develop their skills in a professional restaurant environment.

‘Guests attending the coffee morning will be able to learn more about the festive menus, meet members of the hospitality team and be among the first to reserve tables for this year's Christmas dining dates.’

Students will prepare and serve the meals under the supervision of UCM’s hospitality team.

In the kitchen, they will work with chef lecturer Robert Hunter, whose experience includes working at the Goring Hotel in London, and pastry chef Irene Berry, who previously worked at Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social in Mayfair.

Front-of-house students will welcome and serve diners under the guidance of Tracey Conway, who has experience working in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The Christmas lunch services provide students with hands-on experience in a professional restaurant environment, helping them develop the skills required for careers in hospitality and catering.

The six dates of the lunches vary from Thursday, November 26 to Thursday, December 10. Full payment is required at the time of the booking.

Full details of the Christmas lunch dates are available at https://www.ucm.ac.im/oastan