At Moja Tu, we are passionate about supporting our students on their journey to achieving their dreams. As we celebrate all our students pursuing hospitality courses during Culinary Arts Month, we are excited to spotlight two of our sponsored students, Emmanuel and Serena. Emmanuel is a second-year catering and accommodation student, and Serena is a second-year hospitality student. They showcase incredible passion, determination, and inspiring experiences. Let’s delve into their inspiring stories.
Emmanuel’s Journey: A Culinary Enthusiast
Emmanuel was drawn to the culinary arts because of the endless opportunities to specialize in various aspects of hospitality. The sheer variety of foods and recipes and the joy of seeing satisfied guests fueled his passion for this field. During his course, he has honed his kitchen and restaurant management skills, learning from classwork and his role as a class representative. This experience has taught him to lead assistants and service staff effectively, ensuring that tasks are done correctly and on time while maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the restaurant.
Emmanuel’s education seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experience. For instance, he has service theory lessons followed by practical sessions where he applies what he’s learned to serve guests, guided by his lecturers. Despite the rigorous workload, which includes 15 lessons a week, Emmanuel has developed multitasking and flexibility skills to manage his time and complete assignments promptly.
Looking ahead, Emmanuel envisions his training paving the way for a management position in a five-star hotel and eventually enabling him to start his own restaurant. His hands-on experience at Safari Park Hotel and The Smith Hotels has taught him valuable lessons in customer service, particularly in handling demanding customers and knowing the menu inside out. He advises prospective students to remain open-minded and flexible, as the course requires a lot but offers rewarding opportunities.
“This training will pave the way for me to secure a management position in a five-star hotel, and eventually, it will enable me to start my own restaurant,” he concludes.
Serena’s Journey: Driven by Passion
Serena’s deep personal interest and desire led her to pursue a career in hospitality. Her passion for the field has only grown as she has progressed through her studies. One of the most valuable skills she has acquired is food preparation, especially creating a three-course meal, which has taught her various cooking techniques and methods.
Serena’s coursework is a blend of theory and practical application, exemplified by group assignments that address real-world challenges such as optimizing hotel operations. Working in teams has been a crucial part of her learning experience, helping her develop problem-solving skills and understand the importance of collaboration.
“During production whereby, we always work as a team, and I have learned that teamwork is important because we share knowledge, skills, and resources,” she shares.
The most challenging aspect of Serena’s training has been handling pressure and stress during busy service or multitasking. To manage this, she takes brief moments of relaxation during shifts, which helps her maintain composure and efficiency. Serena believes her training will significantly impact her future career by enhancing her ability to work under pressure and providing opportunities to work in various countries. Her advice to others considering this path is to stay passionate and maintain a positive attitude, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Emmanuel and Serena exemplify the dedication and passion needed to succeed in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. Moja Tu is proud to support these talented students, helping them achieve their dreams and build successful careers. As we celebrate Culinary Arts Month, we honor their hard work and look forward to their future accomplishments.