Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
20 mins ago
Former EIT Tairāwhiti hospitality students from left are sisters Molly and Ella Chrisp-Nichol and Phoenix Swannell
A hospitality training course in Gisborne is proving beneficial not only for the students.
EIT Tairāwhiti’s food and beverage course is a great stepping–stone for anyone wanting to get work in the food industry, says Gisborne’s Zest Café owner Davie Campbell.
He knows because he has three past students on his staff and has employed several over the past six years he has owned the café.
“The course is a great starting point. It gives them a really good basic training – teaches them things we would not have time for here.
“We bring them through then take them so far before they move on and further their chosen journey.”
At the moment he has sisters Molly and Ella Chrisp-Nichol and Phoenix Swannell on his staff.
They have all taken different paths in their study and are grateful to have been able to work and study.
“Having this job has meant we can get the extra knowledge and experience,” says Phoenix.
All three have been able to further their education with the support of their employer.
“Since doing the first course I have done level three and four cookery. It’s been good but it has gone so fast.”
Hospitality programme lecturer Karen Johnston says the 16–week food and beverage course covers all the bases when it comes to bar, restaurant and café work.
Front-of-house, café and fine dining service, bar service including cocktail making, café-style cookery, barista training and food safety are the main components of the course.
“Students get to experience their new skills in real life situations. We have the Hub Café and the Toru Restaurant.”
As well as learning the skills, students gain life skills like discipline to get up and arrive on time and work in a team, says Karen.
It is a pathway course with students taking off into other areas of learning after completing it.
From the last course, students are heading into bakery and cookery, while another is now enrolled in tourism.
“Many come to do the course to get the qualifications to work part time while travelling as well.”
The next Food and Beverage course starts on Monday July 27.
Go to EIT Tairāwhiti’s website Food and Beverage course or phone 0800 2255348 main office to find out more and enrol.
