Local secondary school food technology teachers have added to their skillset thanks to UCOL’s Chef Training team.
Nineteen teachers attended a recent upskilling day, where UCOL Chef Training lecturers Ian Drew and Josh Karaitiana taught them new recipes and techniques they can use in their own classrooms.
The workshop covered topics such as vegetarian dishes, cheap protein options, and how to properly cook steak.
Staff from
Wholegrain Organics also gave a presentation on organic farming, their business, and how they train students.
UCOL Chef Training Programme Leader Ian Drew says the workshop was well received, and his team was looking at doing it again next year.
“It was great to get the teachers on campus so they can see how students can pathway from their Food Technology classes into our Cookery and Hospitality programmes. It was also a good opportunity to build closer connections with teachers in our area.”
“We have also offered to do cooking demonstrations in the schools. We already do this with Palmerston North’ Girls High School, and it’s a good way to show secondary students what they can learn in our programmes.”
Palmerston North Girls’ High School teacher Jenny Slade approached UCOL about running the upskilling day after UCOL held a similar workshop a few years back. She says it was of great value as the teachers are required to undertake professional development each year.
“This upskilling day ticked lots of boxes for teachers because it was relevant, interesting, easily transferable to our classroom, informative, and well organised. It also gave teachers the opportunity to see the facilities and learn what the prospective students they currently teach can look forward to experiencing.”
Jenny says she enjoyed the opportunity to network with other teachers, and came away feeling inspired.
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