Nanyang Poly students hone F&B skills at campus eateries

Students at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) will receive hands-on experience at a new training restaurant and cafe launched on Tuesday.

Those studying for a Diploma in Food and Beverage Business can hone their skills at the training restaurant L'Rez and training cafe L'Cafe.

In the final year of their study, students will spend a semester rotating between both student-run facilities.

There are currently 21 students working in both places.

They have to take charge of front-end operations such as customer service, prepare dishes in the kitchen as well as create menus and factor in costs when running the facilities.

The restaurant and cafe were officially opened yesterday by Minister of State for Education Sim Ann. L'Rez, a 120-seater restaurant, began operating in April and features a fusion menu.

L'Cafe, which is located within the NYP library, opened in July.

Said NYP deputy principal for development Edward Ho: "Our graduates will be able to know how chefs perform their work in the kitchen and service staff operate the restaurant. They would have been there, done that."

The school also has a celebrity chef programme, which involves well-known Singapore chefs coming into the restaurant for a day to share their expertise. Chef Michael di Placido from Brussels Sprouts kicked off the programme in July, while local chef Violet Oon taught students last month.

NYP student Gwenlyn Tan, who worked at both facilities from March to August, is currently doing an internship at Violet Oon's Kitchen.

The 19-year-old said working at both facilities has been an eye-opener. "I had a taste of what working in a restaurant would be like, how orders must go out quickly in the kitchen."

roysim@sph.com.sg

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