Hannah Fenton, Author at Capital City College Group
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WestKing maintains Gold Accreditation for Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses by People 1st International

Westminster Kingsway College receives renewed recognition for its Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and is named a Centre for Excellence in four key areas.

Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) has once again been awarded a Gold Accreditation for its exceptional school of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Situated within the college’s Victoria Centre, the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts comprises specialist facilities such as professional kitchens, a patisserie and a chocolate kitchen. It is also home to the highly regarded restaurant The Vincent Rooms, which consists of The Escoffier Room and The Brasserie.

The award comes from People 1st International, an industry-led skills expert with over 50 years of experience in skills development and technical vocational education and training. The organisation is a trusted partner to employers, industry bodies, skills organisations, donor funders, NGOs, investment banks and governments.

WestKing’s Gold Accreditation is the highest level of recognition awarded by People 1st International. It highlights the college’s progressive and sustainable commitment to matching student skills to employer needs. The award also recognises the college’s proactive approach to staff professional development and its effective and productive collaboration with various industry partners.

People 1st International also sponsors the AA College Restaurant of the Year competition which builds on the AA College Rosette Scheme and recognises college restaurants for producing quality food and high levels of service. WestKing’s restaurant The Escoffier Room, part of The Vincent Rooms, was also recently re-awarded the AA Highly Commended College Rosette.

Following a recommendation from Andy Doyle, Partnership Manager at P1st, WestKing’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts will continue to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Food & Beverage Service, Patisserie & Confectionery, Fish & Shellfish and Butchery & Game. These additional accolades recognise the college’s clear pathways for development in each area and its links to specific industry partners

Miranda Quantrill, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, said: “We are, of course, delighted with the accreditation which reflects our commitment to excellence in culinary education and hospitality. We are extremely proud of our excellent lecturers and dedicated students who consistently impress us with their passion and innovative approaches. This all reflects greatly from our wealth of historical knowledge and expertise established over many years, with the support of stakeholders and alumni.”

If you’re considering an exciting career in the hospitality industry, take a look at our wide range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses and Apprenticeships.

CANDI Supported Internship students visit The Houses of Parliament

Students from City and Islington College visit Portcullis House and meet Members of Parliament as part of National Supported Internship Day.

A group of students from City and Islington College (CANDI) visited The Houses of Parliament as part of National Supported Internships Day on 25 March. Supported Internships provide SEND students with a structured work-centred programme combining a substantial work placement and college study.

The 6 students who took part in the visit to The Houses of Parliament are currently completing supported internships at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. The world-renowned hospital is one of the largest centres of ophthalmic teaching and research in the world and has been operating for over 200 years.

After arriving at The Houses of Parliament, the students were welcomed by Claire Cookson, Chief Executive of DFN Project SEARCH, the organisation that created National Supported Internships Day. In her talk to students, Claire emphasised the importance of partnerships between educators and employers and highlighted the positive impact this collaboration has on young people with learning difficulties. Supported internships can vastly improve employment outcomes for SEND students – enabling them to develop essential skills and grow in confidence. Research has shown that 70% of students who complete supported internships progress to full-time employment.

During the event, Claire said: “We are thrilled to be able to come together again this year and launch a whole range of celebration and campaigning activities. […] if you choose to take part, know that you are building a fairer and more equitable future for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition.”

In the afternoon, students were welcomed into Portcullis House where they wrote and sent letters to their Members of Parliament. They also had the opportunity to meet both the Speaker of the House, Lynsay Hoyle MP, and Chair of Disability APPG, Lisa Cameron MP.

Eamon Mahdar, who is currently completing a supported internship, said: “I really enjoyed the Houses of Parliament visit, as I got to meet new people from other internships. It was really inspiring hearing about the Speaker. It was a great opportunity to be there.”

Kam Kalirai, Head of Foundation Learning at CANDI, said: “I’m so proud of our students and grateful for the opportunities they’ve had. It was a day filled with inspiration, learning, and meaningful connection.”

Here at Capital City College Group (CCCG), we are committed to supporting SEND students and currently deliver a supported internship programme in conjunction with Moorfields Eye Hospital. We also have a wide range of Foundation and Supported Learning courses aimed at helping our students develop essential skills and further their knowledge in their area of interest, grow in confidence and prepare them for the workplace.

Take a look at our Foundation and Supported Learning courses available and apply now!

CCCG Restaurant The Escoffier Room maintains top rating by AA Hotel Services

The Escoffier Room at WestKing’s Victoria Centre has maintained its Highly Commended rating, the highest rating for restaurants in the AA College Rosette category.

Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) restaurant, The Escoffier Room, has once again been awarded a Highly Commended AA College Rosette, the highest accolade available for restaurants in this category.

AA Hotel Services have been rewarding establishments for their range of services and facilities since 1912. Industry inspectors assess restaurants with detailed feedback on their dining experience, covering service, hospitality, the venue and the food served.

The AA College Rosette is awarded to restaurants within educational establishments, and the Highly Commended award signals that The Escoffier Room:

  • Uses quality ingredients and serves food with care, understanding and skills
  • Achieves standards that stand out in the local area
  • Gives guests a dining experience imbued with confidence, a sense of anticipation and attention to details
  • Has an excellent grasp of commercial sense and competes well with other restaurants
  • Provides students with an effective learning environment that is appropriate to the target markets
  • Has a clear brand with excellent industry links that benefit students
  • Demonstrates highly polished service, with clear support from lecturers and peer-to-peer learning

The Escoffier Room was inspected on 11 March, with the AA inspector noting that guests received a warm welcome, enjoyed positive interactions with the team and experienced prompt and well-paced service. There was a range of positive feedback complimenting each of the well-executed five courses, including Seafood Chowder, Pork Loin Steak and Coffee Cremeaux tart.

The inspector’s report contained many areas of positive feedback and suggestions for development. The AA inspector’s report said: “Both the food and the place continue to offer a “wow” factor, especially for first-timers. My guest was very impressed and will be returning in the future.”

Our Victoria Centre is home to the award-winning School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Students benefit from the expertise of an award-winning teaching team and the school’s extensive links with the international hospitality industry. Our specialist facilities provide industry-standard equipment to prepare students for working in professional kitchens including a patisserie, chocolate kitchen and The Vincent Rooms Restaurant and Brasserie.

Apply for a Hospitality and Culinary Arts course and take the next step towards an exciting career in the world of hospitality!

CCCG joins Ukrainian Educational Hub to host informative event for entrepreneurs

CCCG invites guest speakers and members of the Ukrainian community to attend a special event providing support for new businesses and advice on UK tax management.

Capital City College Group (CCCG) collaborated with the Ukrainian Educational Hub to provide valuable information for entrepreneurs at an event held at Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) Regent’s Park Centre on 15 March.

The network of Ukrainian Educational Hubs is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning for Ukrainian children and adults, with the aim of helping them navigate pathways to successful careers. The event, which focused on sharing knowledge and expertise on starting a business in Great Britain and tax management, attracted over 100 attendees from the Ukrainian community.

Jackie Chapman, Executive Director, Growth and Partnerships at Capital City College Training (CCCT), opened the event by giving a short introduction and welcoming everyone on behalf of CCCG. The first guest speaker was Martin Thompson, a British ambassador for Ukrainian Educational Hubs in Great Britain and an experienced entrepreneur. Martin shared his valuable expertise on how to start and manage a business in the UK. The second guest speaker was David Clare, the North London Area Lead and Barnet Facilitator for the Federation of Small Businesses, who delivered a useful and informative presentation on managing taxes in the UK

Finally, Olena Melnyk, Admin Team Leader at CCCT, shared information about CCCG’s wide range of highly relevant free courses such as Start Your Own Business, Computerised Accounting for Business – Level 1 Award and offerings from CCCG’s Digital Skills Hub.

After the presentations, attendees had time to learn more about the extensive range of free education initiatives offered by CCCG. The event concluded with a highly productive networking session, where guests had the opportunity to meet with other entrepreneurs and broaden their professional network.

Jackie Chapman said: “We were delighted to host the event for the Ukrainian Educational Hub. It was great to see so many attendees seeking to learn how to set up a new business. We hope that the college can help further, providing courses that meet the needs of the Ukrainian community.”

Matt Herman, Head of Multiply at CCCG, said: “Proud to attend a wonderful event, promoting opportunities and sharing information for the Ukrainian community at Capital City College Group.” Multiply is a government-funded programme providing free numeracy courses to help adults improve their maths skills.

We are committed to widening participation in education across all communities and skill levels with our fantastic range of FREE short courses!

CCCG Students take part in Turing Scheme trip to South Korea

Students from across the college group have embarked on an exciting three-week trip to South Korea taking in colleges, culture and the country’s capital.

A group of students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) departed for South Korea on 23 March for a three-week trip as part of the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme, which honours the legacy of the British mathematician and scientist Alan Turing, is the UK’s global programme for studying, working and living abroad. It offers unique opportunities to students from all backgrounds, enabling them to study and work around the world.

The 28 CCCG students currently visiting South Korea come from across the college group, and are studying a range of courses at City and Islington College (CANDI),  Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing), The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) and Capital City College Training (CCCT). During their trip, the students are staying at Keimyung College University (KMCU) in Daegu followed by Kyungbuk College (KBC) in Gyeongbuk before heading to the capital city of Seoul.

The Turing Scheme aims to foster connections between organisations, allowing them to forge partnerships that benefit their students. CCCG’s role in this is no exception, and this is the third time that students from CCCG have visited both KMCU and KBC.

Before embarking on the trip, students completed a 10-week course in Korean at CCCG, giving them the opportunity to arrive with some knowledge of the Korean language. Since arriving, in addition to Korean lessons, the students have been able to take part in a range of activities including Taekwondo, creative pottery and painting, visits to various museums and a traditional tea ceremony. They have also had time to practise and improve their Korean language skills, socialise with new-found friends, and explore the local area.

The trip provides students the opportunity to experience college life in another country as well as enabling them to consider employment opportunities outside of the UK. Each student from CCCG is paired with a local student for the duration of their stay at each college, giving them the chance to learn more about Korean life and culture.

Tas, whose son Adam Davies-Shahjahan is taking part in the trip, said: “Adam has always been fascinated with the Far East and wanted to travel there, so when this fantastic opportunity arose, he couldn’t wait to apply. It really is an extraordinary and brilliant experience for him – and the staff, students and itinerary of experiences have all been exemplary. I would like to thank the Turing Scheme and the wonderful people in South Korea for this chance of a lifetime. “

The Turing Scheme provides the development of a range of skills and enables students to broaden their understanding of other countries and cultures. The CCCG students currently in South Korea have given incredibly positive feedback about the trip, with each person’s unique experience impacting them in a variety of ways.

Molly Langley said: “My experience so far has been thrilling, amazing and inspiring. I’ve felt so welcomed and cared for but also I’ve felt very independent being away from home and discovering a new country/city. It has made me grow to become more confident and more sociable, especially with my Korean buddies despite the language barrier.[…] I have made so many new friends and have gained so many amazing memories with these new friends that’ll last forever.”

Karen Mukoko said: “This trip so far has been nothing short of exceptional. I knew that coming to another country would bring new experiences but I didn’t expect to have so much fun. We’ve had Korean lessons, gone shopping in downtown Daegu, explored popular tourist spots, learnt Taekwondo and hip-hop, participated in a Korean tea ceremony and done karaoke. The landscapes are stunning and the people are very hospitable and kind. Korea is a beautiful country which I’ll be very sad to leave.”

Michael Martinez Llumiquinga said: “This experience has been amazing to me as it has helped me develop in terms of confidence and personal growth like talking to others and has expanded my knowledge further as I have learned a new language and its culture.”

We hope you all enjoy the rest of your visit to South Korea!

Find out more about college life at CCCG including trips, discount schemes, clubs, societies and sports teams.

CANDI Sixth Form College hosts A Level taster for incoming students

Year 11 students from a range of schools get a taste of college life during A Level experience event at CANDI’s Sixth Form College in Angel.

City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College opened its doors to students who have applied to study with them in the coming academic year. On 20 March, Year 11 students hoping to begin A Level courses at CANDI in September 2024 had the chance to explore the centre and gain experience of college life.

The event provided the incoming cohort of students with an informative and valuable opportunity, offering them the chance to familiarise themselves with the college setting and get a taste of what A Level studies involve.

Dominic Eady, Deputy Head of the Sixth Form College at CANDI said: “It’s about giving them the experience of what it’s like to think like an A Level student, to create like an A Level student and to engage in discussion and debate, like an A Level student.”

During the event, one of the CANDI student ambassadors reflected on their own experience of attending a similar taster event at CANDI prior to beginning their studies. They said: “I think days like these are really helpful because they help you make friends and see what subjects you’re going to do before you actually pick them. When I was in Year 11, I came to one of these and I made some friends. It made induction day much easier because I had more people to talk to and it was less scary.”

@capitalccg

This week we hosted an A Level experience taster day for year 11 students who have applied to our Sixth Form for next year! 🤩✨ Studying A Levels at one of our colleges with us gives you options and flexibility; a Sixth Form College in Islington, or an A Level centre within 5 minutes of King’s Cross with the perfect hybrid of support and freedom – you are treated as an adult, so you’re ready for university, but given the support you need to succeed in your A Levels. 🙌 Many of our students go on to study at Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and King’s College London. 🎉 Click the link in our bio to learn more. #college #london #alevels #cityandislingtoncollege #lifeatcccg

♬ original sound – Capital City College Group

CANDI’s Sixth Form College offers the widest range of A Level courses in London. Furnished with exceptional state-of-the-art facilities to support student independence and learning, it provides a comfortable student-centred setting, with well-stocked study spaces and a choice of communal areas. 

The Sixth Form College provides a nurturing community for people aged 16-18 as well as supporting academic growth – with 91% of students gaining a place at their first choice of university. 

If you’re interested in pursuing the next step along your academic pathway through a varied range of A Levels at CANDI’s Sixth Form College, apply today!

CCCG launches free Film&Screen Saturday Club for young people

CONEL joins the National Saturday Club offering free filmmaking sessions to young people aged 13 to 16.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) will soon offer free Film&Screen Saturday classes to young people aged 13 to 16 at its Enfield Centre. The National Saturday Club Film&Screen classes will run from 20 April until 10 August and are free to young people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The National Saturday Club is an initiative which gives young people the chance to explore a range of subjects and develop their skills for free at their local university, college or cultural institution. National Saturday clubs encourage members to experiment with their talents and discover new ones, meet new people and learn about career and study opportunities.

Saturday Clubs cover one of eight subjects:

  • Art&Design
  • Craft&Making
  • Fashion&Business
  • Film&Screen
  • Performance&Theatre
  • Society&Change
  • Science&Engineering
  • Writing&Talking

From April, tutors at CONEL’s Enfield Centre will lead weekly Film&Screen Saturday Club sessions, taking students through the film production process with a range of exciting hands-on activities. CONEL’s experienced and knowledgeable tutors will use their expertise to guide Club members through every aspect of the filmmaking process, supporting them as they embark on projects that develop and showcase their skills and creativity.

Saturday Club members also have the option to take part in National Saturday Club events such as Masterclasses with industry professionals, the Summer Show – a nationwide exhibition of Club member work, and a Graduation Ceremony celebrating member achievements.

Sign up for the Film&Screen Saturday Club today!

For students thinking about their next steps, we offer a wide range of Digital Media and Creative Computing courses for learners of all levels covering everything from Film Studies to VFX Apprenticeships. 

WestKing hosts Springboard FutureChef Awards

WestKing’s Victoria Centre hosts the National Final of culinary competition to find the UK’s best young chef.

On 18 March, Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) Victoria Centre, home to Capital City College Group’s (CCCG) renowned School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, hosted the 25th Springboard FutureChef Finals.

The Springboard FutureChef Awards is a national competition to find the best young chef in the country. This year’s competition started with 13,000 entries from 515 schools, with students from Years 9 to 11 (S3 to S5 in Scotland and Years 10 to 12 in Northern Ireland) donning their aprons to compete against their peers. Budding chefs competed in School Heats, Local Finals and Regional Finals and were whittled down to 12 talented finalists. Each finalist was assigned a mentor from within the industry for support and advice before taking their places in the National Final.

During the National Finals, the young chefs had just 2 hours and 45 minutes to prepare and present a main course and dessert in the professional kitchens in WestKing’s Victoria Centre. The panel of judges was led by Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling and included an array of top chefs such as Chantelle Nicholson, Graeme Cheevers and Kerth Gumbs.

After a tough competition, the overall winner was announced. Reese Ventura, a 15-year-old student from St Philomena’s Catholic School for Girls in London, took home the title of 2024 Springboard FutureChef Champion. 

Reese’s winning main course was a mushroom-stuffed chicken ballotine with caramelised cauliflower, fondant potato, purple sprouting broccoli, butternut squash and tarragon jus. For her dessert, she presented a deconstructed tiramisu incorporating cannoli, chocolate whipped ganache and coffee jelly. Reese will go on to receive further support, development and apprenticeship opportunities as well as the opportunity to publish her recipes.

Following her win, Reese said: “I can’t believe I made it here. Even yesterday, people were asking me ‘Do you want to be a chef?’ and I didn’t know. But since winning, it’s a sign to go into hospitality, and it will help me in the future.”

Adam Handling, Head Judge and Michelin-starred chef said: “Reese’s attention to detail on every part of her components, in terms of seasoning and execution, was quite wonderful. Everything she did met the brief and beyond.”

Springboard FutureChef is a school-based programme supporting the development of key skills and inspiring young people to pursue a career in hospitality. By connecting with teachers, students and industry professionals, the programme aims to support students as they gain culinary skills and knowledge.

The Springboard FutureChef competition has inspired and supported rising stars in the world of Culinary Arts. Former WestKing Apprentice and winner of Masterchef: The Professionals 2023 Tom Hamblet was crowned FutureChef Champion in 2015. 

CCCG’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is a centre for excellence with strong links to the hospitality industry. If you’re a budding chef considering your next step, take a look at our wide range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses and Apprenticeship and explore our Hospitality Hub, part of the Mayor of London’s Skills Academies.

WestKing Student Chef wins Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition 2024 with French teammate

CCCG’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts celebrates another win as a third-year Professional Chef teamed up with a French counterpart to win the historic Anglo-French culinary competition.

A student from Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) has won the Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition 2024 alongside a French teammate from Lycée Jeanne et Paul Augier in Nice. Sude Hancher, who is currently studying to be a Professional Chef at WestKing’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, was partnered up with French student Alexia Provenza ahead of the Anglo-French competition and the pairing went on to impress the judges with their teamwork and culinary creations.

The Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition celebrates the unique relationship between France and the UK. The competition first began in recognition of 100 years of the historic Entente Cordiale agreements and is now in its 20th year. Founded by Michel Bourdin, the former Chef des Cuisines at The Connaught Hotel, the competition challenges pairs of students from France and the UK to produce classical Escoffier dishes. Auguste Escoffier was a French chef and culinary writer known for transforming, modernising and popularising French cooking methods.

This year’s competition began on 18 March, when the students met their assigned partners for the first time and started collaborating. Entrants to the competition also attended the Disciples of Escoffier 70th anniversary dinner on 18 March and a special reception at the French Ambassador’s Residence on 19 March, with both events providing opportunities to network with industry figures and learn more about the hospitality industry.

The culinary competition took place at The University of West London on 20 March and consisted of four Anglo-French student pairings. During the 3-hour challenge, the entrants were set the task of preparing a lemon sole paupiette with marinière sauce, artichoke, potatoes and glazed carrots followed by their interpretation of a fermented dough-based dessert. Sude and Alexia worked together to prepare four servings of each dish and their teamwork skills and collaborative approach were praised by the judges.

The finished dishes were judged by a panel made up of notable names from the world of fine dining and hospitality including:

  • Michel Escoffier, Great Grandson of August Escoffier and President of the Auguste Escoffier Foundation
  • Steve Munkley, Vice President of the Craft Guild of Chefs
  • Franciane Tartari, Executive Pastry Chef at 1 Hotel Mayfair
  • Gilles Quillot, Executive Chef at The French Embassy
  • Mark Flanagan, The Royal Chef
  • Daniel Ayton, President of Disciples of Escoffier UK
  • James Golding, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts

Sude and Alexia were announced as the winning pair by the judges at a presentation ceremony in the university restaurant. Participants received medals and prizes including Matfer Bourgeat cooking pans, engraved knives, a selection of items from Disciples of Escoffier and a Craft Guild of Chefs cookery book.

After winning the competition, WestKing student Sude Hancher said: “It has been a pleasure to be here and have such an amazing experience. We kept to the classic Escoffier style for our lemon sole dish, and I really enjoyed producing it.”

Sude’s partner in the competition Alexia  Provenza said: “Meeting Sude and working with her in the kitchen has been a real pleasure for me.”

Tom Eagerton, Chef Lecturer at WestKing said: “Sude handled the pressure well and turned out a well-executed dish showing good techniques. Working in a new kitchen with someone that you have never worked with before is challenging. The college is proud of the achievement and we look forward to Sude graduating and excelling in the world of hospitality.” 

Congratulations to Sude Hancher and Alexia Provenza for winning the Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition 2024!

If you’re a budding chef or culinary creator, why not turn your passion into your profession? We have an impressive range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses for learners of all levels.

WestKing football team crowned winners of CCCG football tournament

Football players from WestKing celebrate victory after winning a cross-college football tournament.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) hosted a Capital City College Group (CCCG) cross-college foot tournament at its Enfield Centre on 22 March. 

In addition to celebrating CCCG’s football teams, the event also highlighted the importance of awareness and inclusion. To mark the start of the event, Student Engagement Officer Natascia Bernardi gave an engaging and informative presentation regarding LGBTQ+ footballers.

Around 70 students from City and Islington College (CANDI), Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) and The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) stepped up to compete against each other as well as a staff team for the title of CCCG football champions. They were cheered on by a crowd of enthusiastic spectators from across the college group.

After a series of exciting matches which saw players showcase fast footwork, outstanding performance and some glorious goals, the teams from CONEL and WestKing faced each other in a tense final. There were excellent goals from both teams but with a lead of 2-1 at the final whistle, WestKing prevailed and were crowned CCCG football champions.

@capitalccg

Last week we hosted a cross-college football tournament to see which one of our colleges has the best football team! ⚽️ 🎉 We had some outstanding performances and goals but only one college was able to take the prize home. 🏆 This event was hosted and made possible by our fantastic Sports Academies. 🙌 Anybody aged 16-19 and enrolled on one of our courses can join one of our Sports Academies, which are partnered with local professional organisations to give you the best training, advice, and opportunities and allow you to combine your academic course with the sports training of your choice. 🤩 Click the link in our bio to learn more about our Sports Academies. #football #college #london #tournament #lifeatcccg

♬ original sound – Capital City College Group

CONEL’s Sports Development Manager, Robert Murphy, said: “It was a great day which saw students from all of our sites take part in an inter-college tournament.”

Congratulations to the WestKing football team on winning the CCCG Football Tournament!

If you’re a CCCG student and a football lover, why not join CCCG’s Football Academy? Partnered with Enfield Borough Football Club, the Football Academy allows you to train in our state-of-the-art facilities including a 3G sports pitch, gym and sports hall. The academy also provides members with valuable training, support, guidance, coaching and professional work experience opportunities.

For those interested in making sports and health part of their career, we offer a range of excellent Sports and Fitness courses covering everything from Nutrition and Health to Sports Coaching and Development.

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