Newstrack

IHM, Niagara Culinary School tie-up

Bhavika Jhaveri - Mumbai

The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai recently tied up with Canada-based Niagara On the Lake Culinary School to offer an 18-month international chef diploma programme.

The course will commence in July/August and is eligible for students who have cleared Class XII. Speaking about the tie up, R K Saxena, principal of IHM Mumbai, said, "The surge in outbound tourism in India has resulted in higher demand for Indian chefs abroad. This is the first time an IHM has introduced the programme. The highlight of the programme will be a six months paid internship in Canada, which will serve as an ideal platform to gain international exposure."

Twenty students will be selected for the programme after a joint screening by the two institutes out of which two students will be offered scholarships. Geoffrey Bray-Cotton, president of Niagara-On-The-Lake Culinary School, said, "There has been tremendous interest for Asian food in North America. The best chefs at present come from Italy and Germany and this programme will assist students to get international status faster. Besides, there is worldwide demand for Indian chefs." He added that students will be taught North American and French cuisine as well.

The growing interest in Indian cuisine is further seen by the fact that IHM, Mumbai is also in the process of tying up with Singapore Tourism Board, whereby selected chefs will be sent over to IHM to acquire training in Indian cuisine.