Ollie Rogers
Restaurant Manager at The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant & Suffolk New College Alumnus
Ollie Rogers studied Food and Beverage Level 2 NVQ at Suffolk New College while working almost full‑time at The Unruly Pig, one of the UK’s most awarded gastropubs. Balancing professional experience with college study gave him the confidence, knowledge and industry insight he needed to take his next steps.
After completing his course, Ollie moved to Leeds to live with friends at university. What started as a change of scenery quickly became a career‑defining opportunity: he was offered a role at The Alchemist Bar and Restaurant, a brand known for its creativity, flair and high‑energy hospitality. Five years later, he’s now Restaurant Manager of one of the city’s two venues, has covered sites across the country, and has travelled widely through opportunities in the industry.
Ollie credits Suffolk New College with strengthening the foundations he was already building at work. Studying alongside his role at The Unruly Pig helped him understand the “why” behind the skills he used every day. He speaks highly of the catering and hospitality team, especially Chris and Dale, who took a genuine interest in his development and ensured he was always learning, improving and pushing himself.
His journey since college has been full of highlights. He has achieved his WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and spoken to local schools around Leeds about careers in hospitality. He is currently planning a new website designed to connect local businesses with schools nationwide, helping young people access work experience, job opportunities and a clearer pathway into this vital industry.
Ollie’s advice to current students is simple, practical and full of enthusiasm: “Take every opportunity given to you. Be a geek and ask all the questions you can. If someone is better at something than you, ask them how they do it and see what works for you. Managing up is the only way up the ladder; it prepares you to step in and perform that role when they aren’t there. The College has many great opportunities.”