Even during the lockdown, it was very important for our trainees to continue developing and learning their skills and training at home. All trainees were invited to attend weekly check-ins via Zoom, the video-calling app used by many businesses during this unprecedented age.  During these virtual meetings, trainees not only had the opportunity to communicate […]

One of our trainees, James, has created an album cover for the Utah-based ukelele band The Naked Waiters!  This cover will be used for digital copies of the album, which released on the 19th of August. James first met The Naked Waiters in 2018, while volunteering at the Ukelele Festival of Scotland, and once more […]

Despite changes in many areas, from our operating hours to the way customers must now enter the building, The Usual Place is once more able to open it’s doors to our customers. We would first like to thank our customers for their continued support throughout these unprecedented times.  We know that our opening has been […]

After spending 3 years at The Usual Place, training and honing her skills, Meg has gone on to become a successful business woman in her own right with her cafe, Megalicious. This cafe will serve bakes, treats and soups which are all entirely gluten free and, where possible, made with fair-trade and organic ingredients. Megalicious […]

Last Week, school pupils Alex, Sofi, Bethany and Ubayd completed their work placement at The Usual Place. The pupils have spent several weeks at The Usual Place, learning every facet of our organisation from front of house and the shop to the kitchen. This week, Bethany and Alex were part of our front of house […]

The Professional Cookery SVQ requires close attention to the detail of all fresh ingredients used to prepare food, assessing quality, freshness and suitability for the cooking process taking place. All this at the same time as learning professional knife skills and gaining skills and confidence in producing a range of professional cuts to a very […]

Yesterday Trainees from The Usual Place took part in the official opening of the new digital hub at Dumfries & Galloway College. Young people made and served canapes to invited guests and met the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, MSP. Young people talked about their achievements, hopes and plans for the future. This was such […]

Trainee Paul has recently completed his practical assessment of his Hospitality SVQ, which he passed with flying colours! His practical assessment covered the standard tasks required to keep his work area clean and tidy and keep everything needed to work organised.  These skills are very important transferable skills for every workplace. During his assessment, Paul […]

On the 31st of January, trainee Meg Ayres completed her last day at The Usual Place.  Meg has worked incredibly hard to achieve her goals with us and through her time at The Usual Place she has become fully qualified in professional cookery and hospitality services, through a rigorous external process via Dumfries and Galloway […]

Today, school students Alex, Bethany, Sofi and Ubayd came to help out at The Usual Place as part of their work experience placement. The students were involved in all parts of The Usual Place’s daily operations, from helping to bake our delicious cakes and biscuits, to offering exemplary customer service, to tidying up the cafe […]