ISCHAM: Newest in the scene

CEBU, Philippines - There was a time when cooking was considered to be one of the household chores done by women. But today, it is regarded as one of the highly skilled arts that is in great demand in the hospitality industry. It has become a serious career option with a wide range of work opportunities available.

While the job outlook is excellent, education plays a critical role. Many culinary schools are sprouting to take advantage of the increasing number of people willing to pursue cooking as a career.

With the food industry growing at spectacular rates, one such establishment, The International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCHAM) recently opened in Cebu to offer world-class training and bring to the classroom the expertise and business savvy that will provide students with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience.

 ISCHAM Chef Ulrich Willimann, Executive Director Norbert Gandler, and president Hans Schallenberg, together with HRRC president and Marco Polo Hotel General Manager Hans Hauri and Department of Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, did the ceremonial ribbon cutting to formally open the eagerly awaited culinary center.

ISCHAM was put up as a realization of a dream by founders Hansjorg Schallenberg and Norbert Gandier. It boasts of a faculty roster of hotel executives, executive chefs and pastry chefs of 5-star international hotel chains and cruise liners from Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Austria, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The faculty is composed of reputable local and foreign industry veterans and practitioners committed to quality education and is focused on providing students with excellent learning opportunities.

 There are several kinds of culinary courses and diploma programs which are taught at different levels . The Diploma in Culinary Arts and Kitchen Management consists of competencies that a person must achieve to plan, prepare and present various hot and cold products and manage a team of cooks for guests in hotels, restaurants, clubs, canteens and resorts, luxury liners and cruise ships within the company's acceptable standards.

The Diploma in Pastry and Bakery Arts and Kitchen Management uses the traditional European dual training approach and equips the students with the fundamentals of pastry arts and managements as well as the latest trends in the industry.

ISCHAM Cebu Campus includes classroom facilities, world-class hot and cold kitchen stations, cooking stations, a pastry kitchen, walk-in freezer and chillers, and a dining room. It is equipped with classroom set-ups for Front Desk Hotel Operations and Bartending and housekeeping services.

Through the years ISCHAM continues to bring an unparalleled record of producing graduates who have continued to excel in their chosen careers both in the country and abroad. (FREEMAN)