James - Chef Cucina 105
The challenges in the hospitality industry has been facing a shortage in employment. We are struggling to find chefs.
Rhonda - Senior Project Officer, Regional Industry Education Partnerships
I partnered with South West Connect to deliver the Class Chefs program to respond to the needs of the hospitality industry. During the Class Chefs program students from a local school take over a restaurant for a whole day. They do a full service for 120 paying customers from the local community.
Jo-Anne - Hospitality Teacher, Freeman Catholic College
I've taught hospitality for about 27 years. I actually came here for dinner one night and then, funnily enough, about a week later our VET coordinator sent us details about Class Chefs. So we decided to give it a go and sign up.
Rhonda
Students get a hands on experience from all aspects of the running of a restaurant. Students studying hospitality will spend the day prepping and cooking food for the three course fine dining experience.
Jo-Anne
They learn knife skills, how to use various pieces of equipment that are commercial standard and how to cook foods using various methods of cookery.
Rhonda
Other students act as the wait staff for the night. Learning front of house skills under the guidance of the restaurant's maitre d. But the food service is not the only part of running a restaurant. Business services students prepare the invites for the guests. Photography students will take the photos on the night. Music students provide the entertainment for the evening, and industrial art students create a gift for the guests to take home.
Jian Franco - Year 11 student, Freeman Catholic College
What I enjoyed about the Class Chefs program is that I was able to be organisational and I was able to be efficient, whether it be with the kitchen or the staff at the front. Also working with customers, I was able to interact with them in a positive way, whether it be dealing with issues that may arise or having a general conversation with them.
Lauren - Year 11 student, Freeman Catholic College
Some of the things I most enjoyed at the Class Chefs program was being around my friends, even though I do see them. It was a very nice experience to have them in this sort of environment to encapsulate what it would be like in an actual hospitality industry and serving people other than ourselves in class.
James
So working with the students in the Class Chef program has been amazing. I have offered a girl here to do an apprenticeship here. She's worked with me for a few years and after that she went on to the city and did other work up there.
Jo-Anne
The Class Chefs experience has been very well organised. The students have been extremely enthusiastic from the start, as well as completely engaged. They've been excited in the anticipation and lead up to the event. I think it's also allowed them to use any of their classroom learning and put that into practice in a real industry setting.
Lauren
My plans for the future is to obviously become a head chef or a sous chef.
Jian
This Class Chefs event has definitely opened my eyes and allowed me to see the possible future career paths that I may have taken.
Contact
Get in touch with the RIEP program today. Contact riep@det.nsw.edu.au.