The tourism branch of the annual Vocational High Schools Competition’ was sponsored by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) whose Faculty of Tourism hosted by the event. At the competition which took place on Friday the 20th of April 2018 at the EMU Faculty of Tourism Application Kitchens and Tower Bar, vocational high school students competed in “Local Cuisine” and “Basket” categories in the cuisine branch of the competition and “A La Carte Menu Service” and “Cocktail” categories in the service branch of the competition.
Students from the Karpaz Vocational High School, Haydarpaşa Business High School, Güzelyurt Vocational High School and Famagusta Vocational High School attended the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Education and Culture’s Vocational Technical Education Department organized competition. A total of 42 students participated in the event; 14 competing in the local cuisine category, 12 in the basket category, 4 in the service category and 12 in the cocktail category. The jury of the basket category was comprised of Ayhan Aşçıoğlu, Gökhan Mutlu, Esat Kastanbollu, Gökhan Özdemir, Kurtuluş Özbaşar, Pınar Barut and Ali Damdelen. The jury of the local cuisine category was comprised of comprised of Selim Yeşilpınar, Mustafa Şah, Mine Adalıer and Münevver Gürel. The jury of the cocktail category included Salih Doğrusöz, Orhan Uludağ, Tahir Taşlı and Koral Karamanoğlu. Finally, the service category jury was constituted of Serdar Oktay, Hasan Daşkın, Hüseyin Bozdağlar and Can Avcı.
“An Important Profession Today and for the Future”
TRNC Ministry of Education and Culture, Vocational Technical Education Department Associate Director Gülşen Hocanın stated that they set rules used in international competitions with the aim of students being prepared to participate in such competitions. Mustafa Şah, the first name that comes to mind regarding culinary arts in the TRNC stated that students increased their experience and creativity with this competition that showcased what they can create. EMU Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç indicated that they are very happy to see what the students have produced whilst wishing students interested in pursuing a career in cuisine or gastronomy the best of luck. Highlighting that new hotels in the TRNC are providing new job opportunities for people in the field Prof. Dr. Kılıç described cuisine and gastronomy as fields which are important today and will be important in the future.
During interviews for EMU TV, the high school students stated that they were impressed with the competition as well the resources and facilities provided by the EMU Faculty of Tourism. Indicating that they gave their all during the competition, the students also provided advice for younger students who might be interested in selecting this profession. Highlighting that they must enjoy what they do, the students also underlined the importance of creativity.
An award ceremony for all branches of the competition will be held on the 31st of May 2018 in Nicosia.
