Budding Culinary arts specialist Ravneel Jai Prakash creating an aesthetically appealing dessert.

Although Ravneel Jai Prakash did not envision himself pursuing a career in culinary arts, he always found his way into the kitchen at a young age. Prakash’s creativity of fusing traditional cooking with spices used in Oriental or European cuisine enabled him to churn out tantalizing dishes for his family and friends, and it did not take long for them to encourage him to enrol in Trade Diploma in Culinary Arts offered at Fiji National University (FNU).

Twenty-two-year-old Prakash said he finds it interesting to learn the art of preparing, cooking, presenting and serving food at FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) Nasese Campus, Suva.

“I had raw talent and an interest in cooking as a profession, but receiving technical and vocational education and training (TVET) training is what I need to take my skills to the next level and drive myself into a rewarding career,” said Prakash.

“I enrolled at FNU to gain experience and professional skills to enter a career field where I can create delicious dishes and at the same time learn how to present food in an artistically pleasing manner.”

Currently working at a restaurant in Nausori, Prakash said job experience is not enough to survive in the evolving food industry.

“Trade qualifications from FNU combined with practical work experience will give me a competitive edge to obtain higher-level positions in other food industries.”

“I have learned during my programme that through the food, we can connect with people as we create exceptional experiences for them to enjoy. I was able to build upon what I have learned to grow in the industry.”

The soft-spoken Prakash adds that his journey to achieve a formal qualification was a roller-coaster ride.

“After I finished my high school education, I started working to help my family financially. However, I always had the thirst to gain a formal qualification and applied for a student loan scheme. Though I knew it would be not easy to manage both work and studies, however, with time management, I’m able to balance both,” he said proudly.

A foodie himself, Prakash said that the culinary arts course had provided him skills to be a master of the kitchen.

“I chose to study at FNU because there is a good balance of hands-on training and class time. The knowledge I have gained relating to the food industry is comprehensive. Not only I learnt how to cook, but I now understand the other important factors that go into running a food business,” he stated.

The Trade Diploma in Culinary Arts course is offered through the University’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) stream. Interested students and stakeholders can learn more by visiting https://www.fnu.ac.fj/tvet-pasifika/

For all details relating to Admission and Enrolment, please email: pritika.m@fnu.ac.fj

For all queries related to programmes, please email: rohitkkishore@gmail.com