CDU launches new training kitchen as it expands to hospitality in Katherine

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Katherine Rural Campus has launched a newly refurbished kitchen space as it seeks to expand into the hospitality space for the first time in the Katherine and Big Rivers Region.

The newly refurbished kitchen was launched on May 31, with CDU’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality team led by VET Team Leader Culinary Arts and Hospitality Robert Schwerdt serving up some culinary delights for guests.

The new kitchen has been upgraded as part of a $200,000 investment from CDU to upgrade facilities and convert the old catering kitchen to a training facility.

The upgraded kitchen will better cater for Katherine and Big Rivers Region locals interested in hospitality courses, with locals now able to study hospitality courses such as Asian Cookery and Cake Decorating.

CDU Associate Vice-Chancellor for Katherine and Big Rivers Alison Haines said the launch of the kitchen shows that CDU is committed to reinvigorating its presence in the Katherine and Big Rivers Region by catering to the courses that locals want and need.

“We are pleased to launch this newly refurbished training kitchen and to be able to offer culinary arts and hospitality courses here in the Katherine region,” Ms Haines said.

“We know that hospitality businesses in the region have struggled to find workers, so expanding into hospitality will further support worker shortages and provides new opportunities.”

VET Team Leader Culinary Arts and Hospitality Robert Schwerdt said CDU is pleased to be able to offer catering, baking and hospitality for the first time in Katherine.

“The refurbished kitchen will provide a perfect learning environment for students and our team of chefs, bakers and butchers are very excited to bring our broad range of culinary skills to the Big Rivers Region,” Mr Schwerdt said.

To enquire about hospitality short courses in Katherine head to: https://www.cdu.edu.au/study/vet-tourism-hospitality#!tab-2