THE opportunity of a lifetime to potentially cook for Prince William has opened for 35 Marsden State High School Hospitality students.
The group of year 11 and 12 students were successful in gaining temporary paid employment with the Delaware North company, which will cater for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast from April 4 to 15.
This was made possible through a partnership between the school and TAFE Queensland.
The students will begin their work two weeks ahead of the games formally starting and will have the opportunity to perform front house service as well as learn expert tips from specialist and celebrity chefs.
Year 12 hospitality student Mere Alu said this unique opportunity would boost her long-term employment prospects outside school.
“It is going to be fun to work in a kitchen with a whole range of different cultures and to learn from their experience as well,” she said.
“I’ll learn a lot more from working with the chefs there.”
Ms Alu is currently completing a Certificate III in Hospitality at Zarraffa's in Slacks Creek.
Marsden State High School hospitality teacher Michael Beohm expressed confidence in the student’s ability and said more opportunities could flow from their success.
“They are prepared, but I think they will learn a lot on the job,” he said.
“Some of the cooking jobs will be cutting vegetables and preparing simple dishes all the way up to working with the chefs to put the meals together.
“If the Delware North program goes well we can hopefully send a few kids to work in America for a period of time and do their schooling while in paid work.”
In addition to basic cooking skills, the students will get an insight into cooking for a range of cultures spanning more than 70 countries.
Mr Beohm said the lessons learned would be eye-opening.
“At Delaware north they put the students through paid training and some of it includes halal cookery, safety training and Indian cookery, the kids will work with specialty chefs from Malaysia and India,” he said.
“There will be 6750 athletes and delegates and there is a chance they will be cooking for Prince William if he pops into the village.”
Hospitality captains Jay Tanginoa and Mere Alu are among a range of Marsden State High School students who complete extra-curricular hospitality jobs, including preparing coffees prior to school starting and working at the in-school kitchen until 9.30pm.
