A FAMOUS face from the world of baking marked the reopening of a new restaurant at a college in Taunton after a £1million refurbishment project.

Mary Berry opened the new Quantock Restaurant at Bridgwater and Taunton College on Thursday, November 9.

A plaque was unveiled to mark the occasion which will let future diners know that the former Great British Bake Off star opened the facilities.

The refurbishment took place over the summer. The new facilities include a new training kitchen and can seat up to 70 people.

Professional Cookery students at the college took part in their own bake off challenge during the afternoon.

Tough critic Mary judged the entries and awarded first, second and third place.

First prize winner was Chloe Paramore for her lemon cake, Egor Sellick came second with his Christmas cake and joint third went to Lauren Tarr and Victoria Chilcott, who baked an apricot fruit log and chocolate cake respectively.

Mary said: “It was wonderful to meet the students and to see the new facilities they will be working in. I would have loved to have had this opportunity when I was younger.”

The restaurant is run by the college’s hospitality and catering students who are working towards their qualifications.

Andy Berry, principal and chief executive of Bridgwater & Taunton College, said: “It is fantastic to be investing in this important curriculum area at the College’s Taunton campus.

"The facilities in the new restaurant provide our students with access to industry-standard equipment in a real customer-facing environment, and so support their successful transition from College into employment in the hospitality and catering sector.

"We’re so proud of the positive impact that this will have on the students, and on the local community.”