Vonk attended a certificate ceremony where 15 of the hospital’s catering staff were awarded certificates for completing the nationally recognised assistant chef’s programme.
Speaking at the event, Vonk said that food for patients in a hospital must not only have nutritional value, but it is also important in that it provides some enjoyment for patients to look forward to while having to lie in bed away from home. "Our catering personnel are not only there to serve food, but with tasty meals that are presented in a special manner, they assist in enhancing patients’ frame of mind which aids recovery."
He said feedback about the hospital’s food is very good and they never receive complaints.
"I am extremely proud of our team. They showed tremendous commitment to do the training this while they were working."
Tea garden and wireless connection
NQTAC were proud to hand out the certificates at the premises at 33 York Street where they moved to recently. They offer a lovely tea garden here which is run by the students. It gives them the opportunity to have their skills "tested" by the public.
There is also free wireless connection, so visitors can do business in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying something delectable from the NQTAC kitchen. On cold days, you can sink back into a couch in front of the fireplace inside.
The tea garden/restaurant is open from 07:00 till 16:00 (weekdays). The students serve light meals, fresh pastries and some of the best coffee in town.
Multi-faceted training centre
NQTAC is a multi-faceted training facility that offers a number of diploma programmes. Students receive an internationally recognised qualification here.
The programmes offered are as follows:
Assistant Chef Skills Programme: It is Theta accredited six-month course that is presented part-time on Saturday mornings and enables you to work in hotels, restaurants and lodges. The next course starts on 16 July.
Domestic Cooking Classes: Up-skill your domestic worker to create wonderful meals for you and your family to come home to.
Social Cooking Club: Join NQTAC for a fun, interactive social cooking evening twice a month. These will start on Thursday 28 July at 18:00, with a wine and tapas evening.
Moms’ Cooking Morning: Drop the kids off at school and enjoy excellent coffee and good company while learning to prepare new dishes to wow your friends.
Waiter training: A quick City & Guilds accredited food and beverage service qualification. It is a full-time five day course that enables the student to make a start in the hospitality industry.
On site training
NQTAC has also been offering on site hospitality training for hotels for the past 15 years. They currently have training sites in Namibia and Ghana and have also done training in the Seychelles, at the Mount Grace Hotel, Holiday Inn in Sandton and the Grande Roche in Paarl.
Contact NQTAC on 044 873 4771 or visit their website: www.nqtac.co.za for more information.
Food preparation and culinary arts student Danél Alexander in the kitchen.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER
