Loyd Grossman receives an honorary degree at the University of Essex today

The first graduates from the pioneering Edge Hotel School received their awards at a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex today.

Television presenter, restaurant critic and food expert Loyd Grossman was the honorary graduate at the ceremony in the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall, which was followed by a reception at Wivenhoe House.

The graduands completed their two-year fast track degree course in the summer, having started their studies before the luxury Wivenhoe House hotel opened in summer 2012.

The Edge Hotel School is a unique concept in higher education in the UK, created by the University of Essex and the Edge Foundation.

The undergraduates are immersed over two years in an intensive combination of hotel management theory in a classroom environment and work on rotation in all the different departments at the hotel, covering everything from housekeeping to running a wedding.

Principal Andrew Boer said: “Today marks the achievement of a long term ambition and a considerable amount of very hard and sustained work.

“This first cohort of graduates are our ambassadors to the commercial world and are already demonstrating how valuable Edge Hotel School students are to employers with their unique qualification”.

The graduands have landed impressive jobs all over the country, including at luxury hotels in London and Scotland.

Luminaries from the world of hospitality are attending today’s event, which will begin with an address by Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster.

Loyd Grossman was recognised for his work and achievements in the culinary and hospitality industry and for his extensive work on sustainability issues in the sector.

He said:“I am delighted to receive this honorary degree from the University of Essex’s Edge Hotel School. Tourism and hospitality are vibrant and important parts of the UK economy and well trained and skilful graduates like these are the key to future growth and success.”