Haryana to open more culinary schools

Chandigarh, Nov 6 (UNI) The Haryana government would open more culinary schools and institutions for chefs to encourage tourism industry and the profession of chefs in the state.

This was stated by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while speaking at the Chefs Awards 2007 function organised to mark the International Chefs Day celebrations in Delhi today.

The Chief Minister said the decision to open more such institutions would encourage more youth to take up this profession and it would be helpful in generating ample opportunities for employment.

Describing chefs as the backbone of hospitality industry, Mr Hooda said, ''A chef is to tourism industry what soul is to the body.'' He said it was their finger-licking preparations that make a tourist talk about them elsewhere, come back and bring others along.

He said chef was the pivot which kept the wheels of hospitality industry moving by constantly striving to improve upon the cooking skills, both artistically and aesthetically.

Mr Hooda said a chef's contribution to the growth and spread of tourism could hardly be over-emphasised. ''Menu contents are being continuously influenced by trends, fads and fashions.'' He complemented the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Indian Culinary Forum and the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations for taking the initiative for recognising the contribution made by culinary artisans to the cause of tourism.

He said, ''We are targeting 10 million tourists by 2010 during the Commonwealth Games and this anticipated growth shall also contribute to the development of tourism in Haryana.'' He said reckoned as a pioneer in highway tourism in the country, Haryana was now expanding tourism activities in a major way, focussing on farm tourism, adventure tourism and weekend tourism. ''We have actively participated in all important national and international tourism marts to effectively project our state as an attractive tourism destination'', he added.

Mr Hooda also presented Golden Hat Chef Award 2007 to Mr Sushil Chug and 11 other chefs were also honoured for their excellent performance on the occasion.

UNI