International Centre for Culinary Arts Dubai (ICCA Dubai) honoured 24 young chefs who successfully completed the graduation programme offered as part of Dh1 million Continuing Education Award - a unique annual 100 per cent Culinary Scholarship Program by ICCA Dubai.

Dr. Abdullah Al Karam, chairman, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) presented qualification certificates to 24 young chefs together with Dr. Naji Almahdi, chief, Qualifications & Awards, Dubai and Mohammed Abdullah, managing director, Dubai Knowledge Park, Chef Uwe Micheel, chairman ECG and Young Chefs Development Team for WorldChefs and Chef Andy Cuthbert, president of Emirates Culinary Guild.

The graduates of Class of 2016 include young chefs from JW Marriott Marquis, Ritz Carlton, Shakespeare & Co, Shangri-La, Emirates Flight Catering, The Address, Madinat Jumeirah, Fairmont, Atlantis The Palm, JA Resorts, Marriott Courtyard, Radisson Blu, Media One, The Aga Khan Foundation and Unilever amongst others.

The innovative industry-focused training initiative was launched by ICCA Dubai in 2014 for deserving chefs, who are unable to access quality education and training in their disciple due to lack of financial resources. The programme was designed and executed in collaboration with Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG), WorldChefs and the City & Guilds London.  

Commenting on this occasion, Sunjeh Raja, director and CEO, ICCA Dubai, said: “Today, ICCA Dubai has successfully achieved and accomplished its purpose to give the very best to both, the industry and its talent. I am proud of our graduates and very delighted to honor their achievement today.”

“The Dh1 Million Continuing Education Award was set up with an aim to provide everyone an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams and not to be limited by their means while boosting the industry with fresh, skilled resources taking the industry development to the next level ahead of the Dubai Expo 2020.  I would like to thank the industry members and strategic partners for their support in helping achieve this vision, highlighting the fact that Together we can Make Lives Happen"

All students were put through the intensive ICCA Dubai - International Chef Training Program, a City & Guilds London, accredited IVQ Level 2 Qualification, along with other Industry Skills Proficiency Training, through a 52 Week Day Release Program. During the 52 week programme, prominent chefs and industry experts regularly conducted training sessions, imparting skills and knowledge aligned to the industry needs.

The graduates are eligible for WACS Certified Professional Cook, under the World Chefs Global Certification Scheme.

ICCA Dubai to date has trained over 2,800 student chefs and maintains a record of 100 per cent work placement for its students who have been successfully placed both in the UAE hospitality and international Cruise Line industry.

ICCA Dubai also offers industry certification and skills development programmes in international best practices in food safety and hygiene that enables industry employees to stay on top of their continuous professional development, apart from a range amateur courses and personalised training programmes. - TradeArabia News Service