News
Hospitality Students Excursion
The Australia Pacific Technical College culinary students studying the Certificate III in Hospitality - Commercial Cookery course, are currently training on the job at the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa managed by the Hilton. Along with their Chef trainer, Mr Douglas Battison, the students took their studies out of the classrooms and kitchens of the Maravu at the Hilton, and into the local surrounding areas.
The first stop was at the Nadi Bay Herb farm for a guided tour of the nursery and then into the fields where vast amounts of herbs in particular basil, are grown for the export market as well as for the local market. John Kemp, owner and director of Nadi Bay Herbs, explained to the students about the growing techniques, and producing healthy well flavoured herbs and salad greens. This was followed by what can be grown in the local Fijian climate at the various times of the year. They talked about producing organic herbs and lettuces, as well as explaining about controlling the sugar content of the various herbs and how flavours can be developed. John Kemp and Nadi Bay Herbs are big supporters of the APTC and the Australian government funded training programs that they deliver, as well as supporting the local Fiji Chefs Association.
The field trip continued to the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. The students firstly had a quick look at the world famous Natadola Bay Championship golf course, with outstanding views of the Natadola Beach, where they soaked up the atmosphere of what the championship golf course is famous for.
The students were then welcomed by the Executive Sous Chef, Lee Acreman. Lee took the time out of his busy schedule to show the students around the various kitchens and behind the scenes of the InterContinental resort. The tour included a look into the fine dining Navo restaurant, the all-day dining Sanasana restaurant, as well as being shown the pastry kitchen and bakery. Chef Lee invited the students to sit at the poolside Toba restaurant which has unique views of Natadola beach, and enjoy some of the InterContinental`s dining options , such as their own take on the famous Kokoda. The students were then allowed to walk around the resort at their leisure as well as take a relaxing walk along the famous Natadola beach, with its white sands, which is a highlight of the Western Division`s coast line. A truly informative and memorable day, for the APTC cookery students.
The students during their tour at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa