After two months of study, 25 hospitality students at the East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) have now moved into the practical phase of their assessment.
ETDA hospitality course co-ordinator Juvita Belo said the course’s head chef would assess the students’ practical abilities.
She said the head chef would invite clients to taste food prepared by the students and experience other hospitality services they provided.
“They will directly meet the clients who will assess how they serve and welcome the guests as well as their personal hygiene,” Belo said.
After the clients tasted the food she said will remark on the letter that the trainers prepared on clients’ table.
She said the five Timorese trainers each have their own area of expertise.
“There is a trainer for food security, for welcoming guests, for food hygiene, for housekeeping and one for cooking,” she said.
Upon completion of their course, the students will be transferred by ETDA to hotels or other jobs in the hospitality industry.
Australian International Volunteer Coordinator and client Cathy Molnar said the students who took part in the course were highly qualified and ready to use their skills in the workplace.
“Many restaurants’ waiters are unskilled but these students here have the highest level of skill. They are good servers, well-mannered and cook well,” she said.
Student Melina Soares said she and her fellow students learned many things during their ETDA training.
“I learned new things such as you can make cakes with bananas and carrots,” she said.
