According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, by the year 2007, the annual demand for professional chefs is expected to grow by 38%. Employment growth will be spurred by increases in population, household income, and leisure time that will allow people to more often dine out and take vacations."23% of 5* chef vacancies in London are for patisserie and confectionery positions" (The Caterer and Hotelkeeper (Industry Magazine), April 2007). All these mouthwatering news doesn't mean that if you like to cook, though, you can just go out and get a job. Being a professional chef means taking your career seriously. Through rigorous training in a comprehensive programme, you will swiftly embark upon a successful career. Educational food studies can vary from a concentrated series of courses that happen over a matter of weeks, to an extensive, multi-faceted degree programme that happens over a number of months.

One such highly acclaimed and successful programme is offered at Ealing Hammersmith and West London College (EHWLC, website: www.wlc.ac.uk ), the biggest government funded college in London. Around 25,000 students are presently studying at this college. This college has four campuses in south west of London - Ealing, Hammersmith, Acton and Southhall. Learning culinary arts in London, where cuisines from all over the world have congregated, is in itself an enriching and fulfilling experience. This college offers two Post Graduate Diploma programmes, one in Culinary Arts and second in Patisserie and Confectionery. These programmes are specifically designed for students with Hospitality background. Applicants should have either bachelor's degree in Hotel Management or three years diploma in Hotel Management or Culinary Arts. Students with kitchen experience are also eligible. As English is not our first language, an English language score of IELTS 5.5 Band is required.

The Culinary Arts programme begins by providing a fundamental education in safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures that are necessary regardless of what kind of kitchen you may end up working in. From there, you advance to mastering basic cookery skills. This proficiency in classic techniques provides the basis for progressive study in preparing specific dishes and specialties. The subjects covered include European Cuisine, Indian Cuisine, Thai & Chinese Cuisine, Vegetarian Cuisine etc. PG Diploma in Patisserie and Confectionery covers various modules like Prepare and present different pastes, Traditional desserts and cakes, Classic and contemporary confectionary, Variations on restaurant hot and cold desserts, Artistic and decorative skills and Chocolate techniques.

However, learning how to cook from seasoned professionals is just the first step in becoming a chef. These programs also include a history of food, practical aspects of sound business management, and a background in human resource management so that when the time comes, you can efficiently run a kitchen crew. You will also learn how to create and cost menus, what to look for in purchasing food for commercial use, and how to best organize your kitchen for maximum effectiveness.

EHWLC insists on real world work experience prior to letting you graduate. This provides you with a true sense of the profession, by allowing you to put your training into actual practice. It can also help you further decide on what type of environment you'd like to spend the rest of your culinary career.

EHWLC's PG Diplomas are 18 months sandwich programs that include 9 months of paid Work Placement. Students' progression during the work placement is monitored by an assigned course tutor. Student placements have included positions with: Washington Mayfair Hotel, Millennium Hotel Mayfair, The Ritz Hotel, Park Lane Sheraton Hotel, London Hilton, Gordon Ramsay Kitchens, Emirates Flight Catering and Renaissance Hotel. Students can expect a gross salary minimum £200/- for 40 hours of work per week.

This program is available in January, April and September intakes. The total tuition fee (18 months) for this program is £5400. In addition to this, as the student will be staying in London for 18 months, a living cost of £7200 also has to be shown for visa purpose.

By partaking in a formal cooking program, you open the door to a world of possibilities. You can work in a traditional restaurant, where your creativity can often be encouraged. You could even go into catering, working for yourself or someone else, where you can take every aspect of your education and put it to direct use.

Ms. Catherine Vines from Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, one of London's largest Government Colleges with 25,000 students, will be conducting Free Interviews for Admissions into the Hotel Management / Chef / Patisserie program for Sept 2009 and Jan 2010 intake. The Interviews will be held in COLOMBO on 16th May at the following venue:

Wisdom Institute for International Studies
No.15B Station Road, Colombo 03.
For Interview appointment, kindly call: Telephone: 0773882488 or
Email: info@wisdomiis.com