60 women get the opportunity to blow the culinary industry open

FERNDALE – A total of 60 women have the amazing opportunity to make a career in the culinary arts.

October 1, 2017

Ashtyn Mackenzie 1 minute read

A total of 60 women from all of Johannesburg have the fantastic opportunity to study at the HTA School of Culinary Arts.

The Department of Social Development in partnership with the HTA School of Culinary Art has inducted 60 women into their new cooking programme.

The programme is based on developing women from improvised areas by equipping them with the necessary culinary, hospitality and hosting skills to further them in the industry.

A joint programme with the Department of Social Development and HTA School of Culinary Art welcomes 60 women to the six-month cooking course.

Project manager of the department, Gadi White said, “[We] identified a need for young women who haven’t been able to afford tertiary education a way to get into the working world.”

The women were chosen based on various criteria namely being beneficiaries of welfare, aged between 18 to 25 years old, a keen interest and passion for cooking and the upskilling of already established skills.

Euphimia Ntombela says, “The culinary arts chose me. After I got the call to start the programme I developed a passion for cooking.”

Director of training and development at the school, Kabelo Segone added that the level three skills proficiency course will run for six months with each student receiving a stipend to cover travel costs. Each amateur chef will be trained in multiple aspects of the culinary industry and will have practical sessions in actual restaurant and hotel operations.

President of SA Chefs and director of HTA Stephen Billingham explains that the catering and restaurant business continues to grow.

“The hope is that these places will eventually hire some of the women. [We] will be encouraging each one of them to try their absolute best because this is a great entry level into the industry,” said Segone.

The department identified candidates through project Tshepo 1 Million which aims to create opportunities for one million young South Africans in the province. Through these projects, hopeful youths can register and possibly be placed in the sector of their choosing.

Well-known and successful chef Raynor Damons spoke to the new chefs about his experience in the chef world.

President of SA Chefs and director of HTA, Stephen Billingham welcomed the women and said, “Cooking is fundamentally a craft. Most importantly it’s about pushing to make yourself the best you can be.”