By TANIA PHILLIPS
KINGSCLIFF TAFE this week launched their newly renovated and refurbished Caldera Restaurant and hospitality facilities – part of the almost $9 million dollar upgrade of the Tweed Coast campus due for completion next year.
The facilities include a brand-new, state of the art baking kitchen which will allow bakers to be taught on-site and not out in the community as well as a wine cellar, seminar rooms and the refurbishment of the Calder Restaurant which has been a valuable asset to the TAFE and community since opening in 1994.
Head Tourism and Hospitality Teacher Gillian Bruce said the refurbishments were part of the major upgrade to the campus, providing students with modern, cutting edge facilities to meet growth in local demand for training in commercial cookery, automotive and the hair and beauty industries.
“Our event, tourism and hospitality qualifications are on the rise due to the fabulous practical experience we can offer our students,” Gillian said.
“The new facilities will provide us with opportunities to also run short courses in chocolate making, cake decorating, bar operations and sommelier.”
More upgrades on-site will see the new Automotive Transport and Logistics Facility at Kingscliff Campus set for completion in April 2014 according to Transport and Automotive head teacher Len Park.
“This new learning facility will increase the accessibility of automotive training in the Southern Queensland and Northern Rivers region and further afield for national and international students who will be able to enrol in TAFE’s flexible delivery programs,” he said.
The Automotive /Transport centre was designed in liaison with the teaching staff using modern and ecological sustainable design principle to minimise environmental impacts and promote cost efficiency for the campus.
The upgrade will enable Kingscliff Campus to offer increased numbers of apprenticeships and traineeships, assist young people to complete Year 12 or a vocational equivalent, increase technology based learning, and increase delivery in areas of economic and occupational growth.
This week’s launches – a breakfast and cocktail party on Tuesday, were run by the students in the cookery, hospitality and events departments. Food was prepared by the cookery students, served by hospitality students with tables decorated by the events students.
The restaurant is open the public to dine on Tuesday night or for Wednesday lunch.
Throughout the year there is also the opportunity to attend one of the many special events that the TAFE students facilitate such as Melbourne Cup Lunch, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Girls’ Night-In Fashion Fund-raiser while the TAFE is hoping the newly refurbished facilities may even attract a wedding .
