The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association has welcomed the arrival of 10 students on an exchange visit under the Leonardo da Vinci framework from Zespol Catering School in Tychy, Poland.

The school is a vocational school specialising in preparing students for a career in the catering sector. Students cover courses in food preparation, food and beverage service and other related professions such as technicians in nourishment, dietetics and general tourism operations.

The first group of students will be in Malta for four weeks and are being accompanied by Mariola Depta, one of the training managers at the catering school.

Welcoming the group was Noel Debono, committee chairman of the Restaurant section of the MHRA, and George Schembri, MHRA chief executive. Speaking during a briefing session for the students on their arrival Mr Debono said that this kind of cooperation between MHRA and Zespol Catering School was the start of a series of exchanges which should help polish students pursuing a career in the catering sector, to attain a wider experience in national cuisines within the European countries.

The students are being assigned to several restaurants for their four-week training period and will be get practice in the preparation of traditional Maltese food and service. They will also be practising their service techniques, customer skills and the skills required in managing a catering establishment.