UK's First Chinese Food Diploma Launched as Industry Experiences Decline in Skilled Chefs
Fears of a demise of the Chinese restaurant industry due to lack of chefs has led to the launch of the first fully regulated Chinese-specific catering course in the UK.
Backed by the Chinese Culinary Association and Tianjin Food Group, the new Chinese Culinary Arts course, which starts next month, will look to secure the industry's future by producing 'homegrown' Chinese chefs in the UK.
The course - a mix of online learning and practical assessments - is aimed at current and aspiring chefs in the catering industry that want to enhance their skills and forge a successful career path in this sector.
It is also targeted at restaurant and hotel owners looking to increase their existing dining options as well as saving them upwards of £15,000 to recruit a Chinese chef from the Far East.
Why is the course needed?
The current recruitment process for Chinese chefs is time consuming, costly and has to overcome UK government red tape, which prevents the recruitment of chefs for Chinese takeaways - which is the UK's favourite in a £30bn industry.
At present, most Chinese chefs are recruited from overseas with owners using recruitment agents to find chefs willing to relocate to the UK. This comes at a considerable expense, which is estimated at £15,000 per chef. This does not take into account the substantial salaries that also have to be paid.
As a result of this, many restaurants are feeling the heat and facing the risk of closure because they cannot afford the sums required.
This course, the first step, aims to alleviate that by ensuring a stream of Chinese chefs - at a much-reduced cost - trained in the art of Chinese food.
It is envisaged this will re-energise the industry as a showcase for Chinese food and provide the stimulus for new business opportunities.
With growing new opportunities throughout the world for qualified chefs as well as to staff the many Chinese kitchens of Great Britain; chefs will be trained to the highest standards using the latest cooking technology designed to make kitchens greener more energy efficient, while addressing the health and well-being issues associated with old style traditional kitchens.
David Pedrette MD of Target Catering Equipment, says:
"This is the way forward for training providers to work with industry from around the world developing a global work force qualified to the highest standards".
What is the Chinese Culinary Arts course?
The course - which will follow Lu Ban workshop principles http://www.pameducation.com/portfolio/sino/ - has received significant inward investment from China to ensure that it will produce chefs of the future.
It is a level three qualification managed by Coventry-based PAM Education and run in conjunction with Chichester College Group and Tianjin 2nd School of Cuisine Food Group. Successful completion will secure a Diploma in Chinese Culinary Arts.
Course content is delivered primarily online, including weekly webinars, with practical assessments at Crawley College at the end of each term.
Topics include:
- The origin and development of Chinese food culture
- How to prepare and cook Chinese cold dishes
- How to prepare and cook Chinese hot dishes
- History and skills for making Chinese pastries
- History and skills required for Chinese dough modelling
- Development of skills for cutting, shaping and presentation
- Awareness of the importance of seasonal and regional variations
Russell Grocott, PAM Education founder and director, says;
"Our work with the Tianjin School of cuisine has escalated from what started as the design of an Education programme into a mission to reintroduce authentic Chinese Culinary Arts across the UK."
"Our programme provides budding Chinese chefs and restaurant owners with the opportunitiy to learn skills and gain a regulated qualification recognised world-wide supported by the finest Master Chefs based in China."
"Students can complete the learning programmes and practice the skills from the comfort of their own kitchens. We have fantastic support for the National Cuisine Associations of Tianjin and China and we are thrilled to introduce this unique opportunity into the UK."
Julie Kapsalis, Managing Director (Commercial) for the Chichester College Group, says:
"We are delighted to launch this brand new course, in a unique, on-line learning format."
"Part of an exciting new partnership, the project has great potential for students and tutors at Crawley College and in China to learn from each other and to develop new skills."
"Working closely with international educational institutions is important to Crawley College and to the Chichester College Group as a whole - we want to see the group develop at home and abroad."
The course commences on Monday 24th September 2018. Registration is open now with limited places available.
For more information see the following:
Course website:
https://www.chineseculinaryart.co.uk
or
Contact Jo Chappel, Head of Learning (Service Industries) of Crawley College on 01293 442 466 or by emailing on jchappel@crawley.ac.uk