Hospitality Management Restaurant and Catering Professionals Obtain Reputable Education at Centennial College
14/08/2014 18:38
It's not enough that your post-secondary program sends you out into the field to work. What matters most is that the companies at which you are placed are well known and have respected reputations in the community. That's because interning with a reputable company immensely enhances one's resume.
Centennial College's Hospitality Management program offers students two field placements (one in the second semester and another in the fourth, and final, semester). The first of these placements has a kitchen manager focus and the second emphasizes restaurant and catering management. Both, however, provide two days per week of meaningful work experience in approved positions within the food and beverage industry, enabling students to relate classroom theory to the practical world. The field placements also enable students to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.
The school's industry partner list reads like who's who of Greater Toronto and nationally known restaurants. It includes: Swiss Chalet, Kelsey's, Milestones, Red Lobster, Shoeless Joe's, The Keg, Jack Astor's, Canyon Creek, Alice Fazooli's and Milagro Cantina Mexicana.
In terms of the program's curriculum, it focuses on skills that are essential to this segment of the industry, including menu management in Toronto and design, kitchen management, beverage knowledge and bartending. Additionally, students are familiarized with business practices in accounting, purchasing, human resources, supervision and cost control.
These topics are presented in a proactive way, with students first gaining a theoretical background and then applying what they have learned during hands-on lessons. To ensure that even the on-campus practical application is realistic, students practice out of state-of-the-art facilities. The first is the Culinary Arts Centre, which boasts a brand new commercial kitchen with a range of tools and different types of ovens to allow students to monitor stations that feature the latest technology. Additional experience is provided through Centennial College's living lab - Horizons Restaurant. This eatery is open to students and the public and sees students gain practice both behind-the-scenes and in the front of the house, serving and dealing with customers.
Guiding students through all of their courses and experiences are instructors with years of professional experience. These instructors are able to share with students their personal advice, answer questions, assist with networking and much more. As 2010 graduate Bertrand Yeung explains, "The instructors imparted all the necessary knowledge and shared their experiences that are needed to be successful in the hospitality industry."
In addition to their Ontario College Diploma, students can gain certifications that include the Smart Serve program and the National Sanitation Training certificate.