In a bid to help young minds achieve a sustainable livelihood, Taj Hotels and Resorts and Palaces announced the launch of the Taj Tata Strive Entrepreneurship Programme in Cooking and Baking at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Centre in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. This tripartite collaboration between Taj, Tata Strive and CII aims to provide financial, infrastructural and skill support to students for setting up small eateries in their villages.
As part of the programme, 18 students, including five women and two members of the Tribal community in Chhindwara have already been trained. Soon this batch will get professional certification. Starting next year, with the objective to bring a positive change in the lives of more foodpreneurs, Taj will train four batches comprising 20 students each.
“Globally entrepreneurs are not only respected for great ideas, but for their ability to create jobs. At Taj, through such partnerships, we have empowered people with the objective of making them future-ready and self-reliant. This programme will encourage rural youth to imbibe necessary skills and partake in entrepreneurship opportunities, creating a sustainable means of livelihood in the villages,” said Dr. P.V. Murthy, Senior VP and Global Head – HR, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.
Data from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) shows that India’s food services industry will be worth Rs. 4.98 trillion by 2021. Over the years, India’s food services market has grown significantly because of various factors including a change in the way consumers spend, widening exposure to new cultures and cuisines, an increase in the tendency to eat out and the rising popularity of home delivery and take away.
Spread over three months, the curriculum for the programme has been designed by Taj chefs, keeping in mind the items which fly off the shelves in small scale restaurants and bakeries. A highly experienced chef has been on boarded to help students gain a comprehensive view of different cuisines and provide insights on intricacies of entrepreneurship. At Chhindwara, Taj has set up a kitchen cum bakery especially for this programme. Besides, there are modules on essential financial literacy for running a restaurant including costing and planning.
The classroom training will be followed by two months of on-the-job training, post which the students will be certified by chefs from Taj through a standard practical and theory-based assessment. Chhindwara has good business prospects for setting up stalls for soup, sandwiches, bakery items and coffee.
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