Gold Star Rating for Cookery at the Hunter Institute

Congratulations to our Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality – Commercial Cookery on achieving the level of excellent of Two Gold Stars under the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence’s Star Rating Scheme! The Scheme recognises excellence in trade skills training among TAFE and private training providers and is a wonderful result for Hunter TAFE.

Hunter TAFE took part in trials of the Star Rating Scheme which were conducted in August and September 2007. The trials indicated that we have a very high standard of trade skills training in Commercial Cookery and this has been recognised with the Two Gold Stars award.

The Star Rating Scheme is a National initiative which will help promote and advance the quality and relevance of vocational and technical training for the trades in Australia. The Scheme recognises and awards high performing registered training providers with a One, Two or Three Gold Star rating – with Three Gold Stars being the highest level of recognition.

The Star Rating Scheme is an industry driven initiative which will make it easier for students and their parents to ascertain which registered training providers have been recognised at an industry level, within their field of interest. Employers will also be able to assess the quality of trade skills training that graduates hold from each registered training organisation rated within the Star Rating Scheme.

"Preview" restaurant wins State Award

Ourimbah TAFE's Preview restaurant has been named "BEST RESTAURANT IN A TRAINING INSTITUTE" in the 2007 Restaurant & Catering NSW Awards of Excellence. All elements of the restaurant were scrutinised by anonymus food critics including taking reservations, greeting customers, quality of wait staff, food presentation, taste and ambience. The restaurant, which is operated by staff and students, is open to the general public and allows students to use the skills they learn in a "real world" environment. The restaurant now progresses to the national awards to be announced in late October.

Certificate III Non - Trade Cookery

Recently, our non - trade cookery students have catered for a number of community events including the Terrigal Rotary change over dinner at Terrigal Surf Club. This event was hampered by gale force winds and heavy rain, which made the catering a real life challange. Our thanks go to Robyn Brewster and the team of dedicated students, who volunteered their own time for this Saturday night celebration.

Central Coast Cookery Apprentices Competition 2007

Mid May 2007 saw our Central Coast apprentices compete in all levels at the regional Restaurant & Catering and Hospitality Training Network event, with place getters moving on to state level competitions.
The quality of workmanship demonstrated was of a very high standard, thanks to both the on and off the job training delivered by our local chefs and teachers.

Tourism & Hospitality Graduation 2007

TAFE student graduation at Ourimbah had always been part of the combined ceremony with the University of Newcastle, who share the campus with us.
This year we had our own graduation for students of Tourism & Hospitality.
The night was a huge success, with students being awarded and recognised for their achievements during their course of study.