Cooks get a chance to break the mould

DUBAI // A Dh1 million scholarship programme that aims to turn humble assistant cooks into master chefs has been launched at a culinary training school.

The organisers of the scheme, the International Centre for Culinary Art, said the scholars would receive training from the best in the business, including the likes of celebrity British chef Gary Rhodes.

The funding is available to promising cooks who are under the age of 28 and already working in hotels or restaurants in the country but who have less than three years’ experience.

About 30 scholars will be chosen a year, said Sunjeh Raja, director and chief executive of the ICCA.

“We have earmarked Dh1 million every year for this scholarship,” said Mr Raja. “This programme will make a difference for them. It will be a real life changer for them.”

The course is available to cooks of any nationality, but applicants must have the support and recommendation of their executive chefs.

“Because no one knows better than the executive chef what’s the talent and financial situation of the young chef,” said chef Uwe Micheel, president of the Emirates Culinary Guild.

“We’re looking at guys where the family has put all their savings together to send the young man from India, Pakistan or wherever to do right, to start in stewarding.

“Then the chef has seen the guy has passion, talent and works hard and has got the potential to grow but he hasn’t got the financial potential to do any certification.”

Many of those who work as assistants in hotel and restaurant kitchens have received only basic, mostly on-the-job, training, Mr Micheel said.

While they may show promise in their profession, a great number cannot afford to advance their education and training because, as assistants, they receive low salaries that are often spent supporting families in their home country.

So, they become stuck in the same low-wage position for the rest of their careers.

“These are the young people we want to get into the programme,” Mr Micheel said. “We have never looked at countries, nationalities or colour of your skin, we are all wearing white jackets.

“In this programme we are all the same. It doesn’t matter where you work or come from, it’s what is your passion, what is your potential, and what is your financial background.”

Employers of the scholars must also sign an agreement with the ICCA confirming they will allow then one paid day off a week to attend training on the year-long course, which begins in January.

Hotels and restaurants will also be required to provide the student chefs’ transport to and from the school.

During the morning, the training will be conducted by school staff and in the afternoon by visiting chefs – including celebrity chefs such as Gary Rhodes – who have volunteered their time.

Dr Ayoub Kazim, the managing director of Dubai Knowledge Village, where the ICCA is based, praised the scheme but also lamented the lack of Emiratis participating in the booming hospitality and tourism industry.

“We need to develop the national workforce, especially to contribute to this growing sector. You have the travel, tourism and hospitality contributing to one third of Dubai’s GDP and I’m very sad to say that when it comes to the local participation and contribution, it’s only about 1 per cent.”

rpennington@thenational.ae