The Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) was invited by Labor Affairs Bureau (DSAL) to provide training programmes and co-organise selection trials for “Western Cuisine” and “Pastry and Sweets” categories of the 43rd WorldSkills Competition. Winning participants of the selection trials will represent Macao to compete the world champion in the final competition in São Paulo, Brazil this August.
IFT appointed Professor Mark Gibson, Coordinator of Culinary Arts Management degree programme and Lecturers Ms. Marieta Wong, Jeffrey Lao and David Wiley to coach winning participants. Mark and Jeffrey were also appointed as the experts to assist the two categories.
43 post-90s teenagers were attracted to take part in the selection trials of the two categories co-organised by IFT earlier. Three winners received cash prizes while the champions and the 1st runner-ups were offered a local and overseas intensive training of more than 500 hours for enhancing their culinary and pastry skills. Besides, they will attend a 8-10 days training programme in Ferrandi French School of Culinary Arts in Paris, France and Atelier des Arts du Sucre – Patisserie Kelin in Belfort. In August, the champions will compete with other global rivals in São Paulo, Brazil accompanied by the two Institute’s experts.
Among the 43 candidates, all of them were from local institutes and schools, while the top three of both categories were all from IFT, namely Pastry and Bakery Diploma Programme graduate - Leong Un Pek, and Culinary Arts Management degree programme students - Chou Kit, Cheong Pou I, Fong Keng Chun, Lam Weng Ian, and Sam Wai Ian. Judging panel of the contest were professional industry representatives including the President of Macau Culinary Association, sou chef of COPA Steakhouse, Sands Macao, pastry chefs of Sheraton Macao Hotel and City of Dreams, IFT’s F&B consultant, sou chef and teaching staff of culinary programmes.
IFT is the only public higher institute in Macao exclusively devoted to higher education and professional training for tourism and hospitality industry. The programme quality is worldwide recognised while the Institute is the first UNWTO Tedqual Certification institution of tourism education in 2000. IFT strives to foster nurture talent for management positions of tourism and hospitality industry. Also, the Institute is the only higher institute to fully implement a 6-month compulsory internship programme to all undergraduates. Students can perform their internship at local or overseas companies or organisations. In addition, students can participate in exchange programmes to study in the renowned sister schools to broaden their international horizons.
IFT was honoured to co-organise the selection trials and provide training for winning representatives to participate in the world-class competition. The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world. Any talents who are born on or after the year of 1993 can participate in the selection trials, and selected representatives from Macao will take part in 15 categories of contests in August this year.
