ICCA offering AED1 million in chef scholarships

International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) has initiated a scholarship program worth AED1 million (US $272,250) for deserving chefs, who are unable to access quality education and training in their disciple due to lack of financial resources.

The program has been designed in collaboration with The Emirates Culinary Guild, The World Chefs and City & Guilds, London.

It aims to combine quality vocational training and industry support to create an equipped workforce, cushion the breakneck speed of development in the hospitality industry and provide required personnel to meet the demands.

ICCA director and CEO Sunjeh Raja said: “The ICCA Dubai AED1 Million Culinary Scholarship Award is the culmination of a vision we have had since we first opened our doors 10 years ago. It is a vision that could only be achieved with complete support for the industry and our strategic partners.

"This programme will completely change the lives of 30 underprivileged chefs a year, while simultaneously boosting the industry with fresh, skilled resources and thereby helping take things to the next level.”

To apply for the program, applicants must complete the registration form and submit required documents and recommendation letters. The application will then be reviewed by a panel of four, which includes chef Andy Cuthbert, chairman ECG and Young Chefs Development Team for WACHS, chef Uwe Micheel, president of ECG, chef Alan Pedge, vice president ECG Abu Dhabi and Sunjeh Raja, director and CEO, ICCA Dubai.

Top 30 applicants will then be chosen and trained by industry experts and chefs at the ICCA facilities once a week, for a year. Upon successful completion of the program and examination, they will be awarded certification, accredited by City and Guilds London.