Gone are the days when learners had to lug cooking equipment onto taxis when going to Portland High School in Mitchells Plain, after their school kitchen received a kwaai make-over.
Now the school is ready to produce their own master chefs, thanks to the help of the Table Bay Hotel.
The hotel stepped in after a former learner told his mother who works at the hotel about the poor condition of the skool kombuis.
Principal Ridwaan Williams said: “The equipment we had was 50 years old.
“The equipment was here when the school was first built.
“Learners had to bring equipment like bowls from home and most of them use taxis to come to school. They had to load the equipment into the taxi.”
Spokesperson for the hotel, Sarah Prins, says the upgrade is meant to assist Consumer Studies learners, by replicating kitchen conditions in the hospitality industry.
The upgrades include a fresh coat of paint, replacing old wooden worktops with new stainless steel tops, new stoves, microwaves and other electrical equipment among others.
"The Table Bay Hotel first became involved with the Mitchells Plain high school in 2017 to assist their Consumer Studies Department,” says Sarah.
“But since that time, we have actually been involved with several projects to improve various aspects of the school.
“It is wonderful to get positive feedback on our CSI contribution and the impact it has made on learners and how it has changed their lives.
“Who knows? Maybe one of the learners will be inspired to become a chef in one of our hotels.”
Excited Consumer Studies teacher Elsie Carelse says the upgrades have made life so much easier for everyone.
“The practicals now go quicker and our products are now excellent because we have everything we need to use in practicals.
“The learners are also now proud of their school, this new kitchen has ushered new confidence in them.”
Head boy and Consumer Studies pupil Mujaahid Ismail adds: “No one wants to miss a Consumer [Studies] class because this is a top-of-the-range kitchen.
“The fridges have enough space to store our food and the stoves are just perfect for us.
“We are happy with the upgrade.”
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za