For information on 20 September 1999
Legislative Council
Panel on Manpower

Chinese Cuisine Training Institute

Introduction

This paper informs Members of the Administration's proposal to establish a Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI).

Background

2. The CCTI is one of the three major capital works projects announced by the Government to welcome the new millennium. The project is carried out under the purview of the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB). The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is responsible for the establishment and operation of the CCTI.

Objectives of the Institute

3. The CCTI aims to provide systematic training and trade testing in the preparation of Chinese cuisine, define a clear route for professional development and advancement within the industry, nurture local talents in Chinese cuisine and elevate the professional standards of local Chinese chefs and the food safety standards.

4. In the long run, the CCTI will facilitate the development of Hong Kong into a regional centre of excellence in Chinese cuisine training. It is also expected that the CCTI will provide added appeal to international visitors by enhancing Hong Kong's long-standing reputation as the food capital of the East.

Location and Facilities of CCTI

5. The CCTI will be located on the 7th and 8th Floor of VTC's Pokfulam Training Centre Complex. The CCTI will include three training kitchens for different regional Chinese cuisine , a trade test/demonstration kitchen, a tasting room, a food science laboratory, a Chinese cuisine training restaurant and other ancillary support facilities.

Training System

6. The CCTI will provide full-time and part-time training courses ranging from elementary, intermediate, advanced to master chef levels. Courses will cover a broad range of contents including basics of the catering industry, practical skills of preparation of Beijing and eight major provincial cuisines of China , basic food and beverage service skill, food hygiene and safety, nutritional science, food cost and quality control, service culture training, etc. To enhance the employability of graduates, basic Putonghua and English communication and general computer training will also be offered. It is planned that the CCTI will offer 110, 216 and 388 training places in the first, second and third year of its operation.

7. VTC is responsible for the design of course contents, under the steer of the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Board (Training Board) of VTC. The Training Board comprises prominent people from the local hotel, catering and tourism industries. In developing its proposal, VTC has also consulted leading local chefs and professional institutions from the Mainland.

Trade Tests

8. In order to establish a uniform standard and recognised levels of skills within the industry, the CCTI will also provide trade tests from the second year of its operation. The trade testing system will provide in-service personnels with an opportunity to acquire recognised professional qualifications and in the longer term improve the overall professional standards of the industry. A total of 250 trade testing places will be available from the second year of CCTI's operation, increasing to 1 200 from the third year onwards.

9. Details of the proposed admission criteria for various levels of courses, advancement path for graduates, the accreditation system and interface between the courses and trade tests are illustrated at the Annex. The detailed proposal has been endorsed by the relevant VTC Training Board.

Logistics Planning and Funding Arrangements

10. VTC has made a number of visits to the Mainland to study the qualifications framework of Chinese cuisine with a view to drawing reference from the Mainland's experience in the course planning and benchmarks for trade testing. During the trips, VTC has also made contacts with the major professional associations there.

11. VTC has appointed a lead consultant for the project's architectural and building design works. The Administration is discussing with VTC details of costing. It is estimated that the capital cost of establishing the CCTI will be in the region of $100 million. Income may be derived from the operation of the Training Restaurants, the sale of related products such as Chinese cuisine recipes and the holding of trade tests and interest courses. EMB aims to submit a PWSCai paper on the project for consideration at the PWSC meeting on 20 October 1999. Subject to the approval of the necessary funding, construction works will commence immediately with a view to bringing the CCTI into operation by the end of 2000.

Education and Manpower Bureau
September 1999