Students in the Hospitality and Tourism Specialist High Skills Major program at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School spent a day learning the restaurant trade first-hand at Bistro '67, the teaching restaurant at Durham College's Whitby campus.
The November 3 visit gave the Oshawa school's SHSM students a chance to work in a professional dining room and kitchen, according to the Durham Catholic District School Board, which reported on the trip in a post written by two of the participating students. The board operates secondary schools across Durham Region, including in Ajax, where students can also pursue SHSM programs through their guidance departments.
Split between the dining room and the kitchen
The 16 students were divided into two teams of eight. One group took on front-of-house duties, learning about the hospitality programs Durham College offers, point-of-sale systems, customer service techniques and cleaning and sanitation procedures. They also prepared two different mocktails while studying beverage preparation and presentation.
The other group worked behind the scenes in the professional kitchen, where they learned to prepare meals efficiently, plate dishes attractively and work safely alongside several chefs during a busy service. They were also introduced to kitchen communication and etiquette, including the standard callouts "behind," "sharp," "hot" and "in front" used to keep a kitchen safe and organized.
The teams switched roles partway through the visit so every student experienced both sides of the operation.
A lunch of their own making
The day ended with a meal the students had prepared themselves: a bacon cheeseburger on a toasted bun, a homemade salad made with locally sourced Ontario ingredients, and their choice of the two mocktails they had mixed earlier in the session.
The board described the visit as a success, saying students gained hands-on experience, developed new hospitality skills and enjoyed putting their classroom knowledge into practice. The school's Hospitality and Tourism SHSM students expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
Students interested in a Specialist High Skills Major in hospitality or other sectors can speak with their school's guidance department to learn what programs are offered.
